Handloom workers in Tangail have become lively again ahead of Pohela Boishakh on Thursday and Eid-ul-Fitr next month, after being without work for a long time due to the pandemic.
From making saris to selling them, everyone involved in the industry is passing their busiest time right now.
Wholesalers from different districts across the country have already started thronging Tangail for saris, especially for Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the two major religious holidays for Muslims worldwide.
During a recent visit, this correspondent saw that cotton saris–selling at Tk300-Tk400 at the retail level–are within everyone’s reach, while the prices of silk, “reshon” and “dutar” saris can range from Tk3,000 to Tk10,000.
The Jamdani saris of Tangail are also very popular among women of all ages.
According to local sari traders Mir Zakir Hossain and Shahjalal, saris for Eid are now in demand and sales have shot up in the last few days.
The whole area had got into a festive mood, they added.
Masud Rana, a sari designer, said: “I had to make some new designs for saris. But we designers are only busy in the initial stage.”
Meanwhile, Raghunath Bosak, former president of the local sari traders’ association, said around 50% of people involved in the handloom industry had changed careers due to the pandemic.
But handloom workers were now hopeful of seeing profits with two big festivals on the horizon, he added. “If all goes well, I think sales will go through the roof this time round.”
But there is also some cause for concern. Raghunath said sari exports had decreased and prices of yarn, dyes and other materials had gone up, increasing production cost.
“As a result, sari prices have also shot up, and we fear that Indian saris may dominate the local market.”
In such circumstances, he urged the government to reduce the prices of all sari-making materials.