Sircilla weaver creates handloom shawl featuring portraits of Dubai’s ruling family

Master weaver Veldi Hariprasad from Rajanna Sircilla district has created a handloom shawl featuring portraits of Dubai’s ruling family. Unveiled at Bathukamma celebrations in Dubai, the shawl highlights Sircilla’s weaving heritage and Telangana expatriates’ ties with the UAE.

Hyderabad: Master weaver Veldi Hariprasad of Rajanna Sircilla district has created a unique handloom shawl featuring portraits of members of Dubai’s ruling family as a tribute from Telangana’s expatriate workers in the Gulf.

The textile masterpiece was unveiled at the 16th Bathukamma celebrations organised by the Emirates Telangana Cultural Association (ETCA) at Al Ahli Sports Club in Dubai on October 11. Thousands of Telangana expatriates, migrant workers and members of the Indian diaspora attended the celebrations, with the shawl emerging as a major attraction alongside the Bathukamma festivities.

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The shawl showcases the intricate craftsmanship of Sircilla’s handloom weavers, with portraits woven into the fabric using fine threads. The initiative brought international attention to the traditional weaving skills of Sircilla, known for its handloom craftsmanship and textile innovations.

Former Minister and Balkonda MLA Vemula Prashanth Reddy, Korutla MLA Kalvakuntla Sanjay, ETCA founding president Pichara Kiran Kumar, ETCA president Jagadeesh Rao and representatives of Gulf community organisations were among those present at the unveiling.

Balu Kayithi, CEO of Balagam TV, and Sircilla-based civil contractor Jupally Venkata Rao provided financial support for the creation of the shawl. They said local artisans could achieve international recognition with appropriate encouragement.

ETCA representatives are working on arrangements to formally present the shawl to Dubai’s ruling family. The proposed gesture is intended to showcase Sircilla’s weaving heritage and acknowledge the contribution of Telangana workers to the UAE, conveying respect of Telangana’s Gulf workers towards the UAE leadership and strengthen cultural ties between India and the UAE.