Why in news?
Ponduru Khadi is a renowned handspun, handwoven cotton fabric originating from Ponduru village in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. It recently Nominated under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme for Srikakulam, the GI tag was granted by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, honoring its century-old tradition and global export potential.
Historical Significance
- Crafted using indigenous short-staple cotton like hill or red cotton, Ponduru Khadi gained prominence during India's freedom struggle.
- Mahatma Gandhi praised its quality in his publication Young India after receiving a stole during his 1921 visit and sent his son Devdas to study the process.​
Unique Production Process
- The fabric undergoes a fully manual process, including cleaning cotton with the jawbone of the Valuga fish—a method exclusive to Ponduru—and spinning on single-spindle "Gandhi Charkhas" with 24 spokes.
- This yields fine, high-yarn-count cloth known locally as Patnulu, soft and comfortable for sarees, dhotis, and yardage.​
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