Handlooms are an important craft product and comprise the largest cottage industry of the country. Pochampally Ikat comes from Malay – Indonesian word, which means to Tie & Die. Most historians conclude that the practice developed in the mid 1800''s.The weavers of Puttapaka, Nalgonda District belong to the padmasali sub-caste, claiming to be the descendants of the god Markandeya.
 

In the ikat tie and dye process, the designs in various colors are formed on the fabric either by the warp (length wise) threads or the weft (across) threads or by both. The designs are tied and dyed separately to bring in the desired color and the simple interlacement of the threads produce the most intricate designs that appear only in the finished weaving.

The characteristic feature of Ikat designs is its feathered ends, which involves great care and hard labour to attain them.

APTDC has undertaken a project for the protection of Intellectual Property Rights for Pochampally designs. A team consisting of Mr.Jayaramaiah, Deputy Director, Weavers Service Center, Mr.P.Yadagiri, Asst. Director of Handlooms & Textiles, Nalgonda, Ms.Sunita.K.Sridharan, Leading Attorneys form Anand & Anand, Mr.K Subodh Kumar, Counsellor -Technology and Ms.K.Tara Executive-IPR, APTDC visited the village. The Interactive meeting with the weaver community and the Coop- Society brought to the fore the issues such as Copying of Designs, Pass off, etc.

It is clear from the above, that there is strong need to build awareness about IPR Issues among the weaver community wherein the Government and NGO''s can play a major role in protecting the intellectual assests of the innovative artisans.

“Getting Pochampally design patented by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, was a first of its kind achievement for grassroots level artisans."

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