Shri Shakambari Weavers Co-operative Society was established in Bagalkot district, Karnataka in 1946. The society employs nearly a thousand weavers who weave traditional and contemporary Ilkal sarees. Most of the weavers work from their homes and the society does not set any target number of sarees to be woven by them. The weavers are free to work at their own pace and are paid per saree. Once the saree is handed over to the cooperative, the weavers are paid a good part of their due immediately. Some of the weavers also help maintain the accounts and manage operations of the society.
Weaving is a household activity in Ikal. The town is believed to be a weaving hub since 8th century AD. In a weaving family, almost all members are involved in the process. Right from the procurement of the yarn to weaving the saree and sizing and packing it, almost everything is done within the family. Working together with each other for years, there is a strong community bond between weavers as well. The society aims to ensure that the weavers get more work on a regular basis and that they earn a remuneration that justifies their toil.
