Name: Kodambakkam Saree, Madurai, Semester 7, Batch 2022–26
Department: Textile Design Department
Category: CBDP
Campus : NIFT Chennai

The Craft Based Design Project 2025 at the Madurai Handloom Cluster explored the traditional Kodambakkam saree weaving craft of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Through four collections—Kodambakkam Kadhal, Threads of Kodambakkam, Vanna, and Thukil Kaviyam—students studied the motifs, weaving techniques, materials, and cultural significance. The project translated traditional design elements into contemporary products and applications, highlighting opportunities for innovation while preserving heritage. It demonstrated the potential of design-led interventions to enhance the visibility, sustainability, and market relevance of this unique handloom tradition.

About the project

  • Kodambakkam Sarees by Madurai Handloom Cluster, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
  • CBDP 2025
  • NIFT Chennai
  • TD
  • Semester 7
  • Batch 2022–26

The Craft Based Design Project at the Madurai Handloom Cluster explored the traditional Kodambakkam saree weaving craft practiced by the Saurashtra community in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Students documented weaving processes, materials, motifs, and cultural significance while exploring contemporary applications of this heritage textile. Kodambakkam sarees are known for motifs such as mango, peacock, lotus, fish, rudhraksham, and thodu butta, woven using jacquard mechanisms.

The project was undertaken by students through four collections:

  • Kodambakkam Kadhal (Group 1) – Chenab Jotwani, Hiya Sangvi, Manju Priya R, Rutt Agarwal, S. Avanthika, Sukaina, Vhanmathi A
  • Threads of Kodambakkam (Group 2) – Aarshia Singh, B. Harshini, K. R. Keerthana, Mannya Tripathi, Premithaa R, S. Subhanu, Vikas Verma, Yuktha Pandey
  • Vanna (Group 3) – Ezhil Bharathi, Kripa Shukla, Deepanshu Bhargav, Tanvi Tambi, Ritisha Jalandhar, S. Nivetha, Sneha Phukan
  • Thukil Kaviyam (Group 4) – Mohana Priya G., S. Janani, S. Raj Kashmi, Arghaleena Mazumder, K. M. Khyati Gupta, Kudrat Singh Takhar, Sakshi Bhatter, Pranav L.

Students:

  • Chenab Jotwani
  • Hiya Sangvi
  • Manju Priya R
  • Rutt Agarwal
  • S. Avanthika
  • Sukaina
  • Vhanmathi A
  • Aarshia Singh
  • B. Harshini
  • K. R. Keerthana
  • Mannya Tripathi
  • Premithaa R
  • S. Subhanu
  • Vikas Verma
  • Yuktha Pandey
  • Ezhil Bharathi
  • Kripa Shukla
  • Deepanshu Bhargav
  • Tanvi Tambi
  • Ritisha Jalandhar
  • S. Nivetha
  • Sneha Phukan
  • Mohana Priya G.
  • S. Janani
  • S. Raj Kashmi
  • Arghaleena Mazumder
  • K. M. Khyati Gupta
  • Kudrat Singh Takhar
  • Sakshi Bhatter
  • Pranav L.

Guided by Faculties:

  • Ms. Saradwati Datta
  • Dr. S. Aishwarya

Artisans:

  • Jeyendran A. M.
  • Lakshmi K. K.
  • P. Meena
  • N. M. Karpagam
  • T. Manibaba

The project highlighted opportunities for preserving Kodambakkam heritage through contemporary and sustainable design intervention.