New varieties of Co-optex textiles fly off shelves: Deepavali kaleidoscope

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Handloom Weaver’s Cooperative Society has introduced many new collections of soft silk sarees with designs and patterns inspired by musical instruments and sarees worn by queens for this festival season.

The concept of soft silk, which can be worn for special occasions and also to office, has got good response from women. Kurtis for the youth brigade have also been introduced, says managing director of Co-optex T.N. Venkatesh. He says that sales for the festival season crossed Rs 70 crore in two weeks.

“The kolam sarees, which have been inspired by kolam designs, and sangeet sarees, inspired by musical notes and instruments, are the new arrivals for this Deepavali. Maharani sarees, which were newly introduced for this festival, were designed after research and studying the designs of the sarees used by queens of royal families in southern India, from places like Thanjavur, Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai and Mysore,” he adds.

“Apart from this, readymade shirts for men and coloured silk shirts with matching coloured bordered dhotis are introduced,” adds Mr Venkatesh.

Besides 20 per cent discount throughout the year, Co-optex offers 30 per cent on festival sales, which starts in September and ends by January ever year. “Co-optex has also found potential for the sale of silk sarees in other states and major cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Kolkata.

Sales from showrooms outside Tamil Nadu contribute to 12 per cent of the total sales, but we are working to raise this to 30 per cent,” Mr Venkatesh added.