Kolhapur · January 2021
Alankar for Shri Mahalakshmi
A saree of our own making was offered for the alankar of Shri Mahalakshmi Devi at Kolhapur. Of everything that has left these looms, this is the honour the family holds highest.
Worn By
Sarees from our looms, worn beyond Betigeri
One was chosen for the alankar of Shri Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur. Others have been worn by Union ministers and by actors. Every one of them came off the same handlooms, woven by the same hands.
Worn in public life
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Nirmala Sitharaman Nirmala Sitharaman
Union Finance Minister
[The occasion, and which saree she wore.]
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Smriti Irani Smriti Irani
Former Union Minister for Textiles
[The occasion, and which saree she wore.]
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Genelia Deshmukh Genelia Deshmukh
Actor
[Confirm before publishing. The Vogue and Elle pieces credit the label, not the weaver. Say here what our part in it was.]
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Jayamala Jayamala
Actor; former Member, Karnataka Legislative Council
[The occasion, and which saree she wore.]
Awards
The work, recognised
Recognition for the weave, and for the families in Gadag-Betigeri who make a living from it.
Asianet Suvarna News & Kannada Prabha · February 2024
Suvarna Saadhakaru 2024
Balramsa Basava was honoured at the Suvarna Saadhakaru 2024 ceremony, in the industrialist category, for the Ilkal weave and the livelihoods it carries. Suvarna News filmed the looms, the dyeing and the weavers for the report that went out with the award.
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Global Research & Foundation
Certificate for International Excellence
For keeping the Ilkal saree in production, and the weave in the hands of skilled weavers.
National Prestige Awards · May 2026
Media Coverage
In the press
Writing about the Ilkal weave, and about the looms it comes from.
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Nekara Sampada
A profile of the Basava weaving family: 200 looms, and some 300 families making a living from them
[Check the details against the cutting: magazine name, the writer (Sri Chandrappa Barangi, Kannada teacher, Gadag), and how you would like the headline worded in English.]
December 2025 · page 28
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Vogue India
Genelia Deshmukh's cobalt blue sari has been created with a GI-tagged craft
[Confirm our credit before this goes live. The article names the label, not the weaving family.]
2026
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Elle India
Centuries of craft on six yards, and Genelia made every thread count: the Ilkal story
[Confirm our credit before this goes live. The article names the label, not the weaving family.]
21 April 2026
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[Publication]
[Headline of the piece, as printed.]
[Date]
Press enquiries are welcome. Reach us on WhatsApp or by phone and we will send photographs, details of the craft, and access to the workshop.