Onam 2025: Kerala weavers craft royal saree for President, golden shawl for PM

Thiruvananthapuram: A Balaramapuram handloom royal saree for President Droupadi Murmu and a 'ponnada', a golden-bordered shawl, for Prime Minister Narendra Modi are among the Onam gifts being prepared in Peringammala this year.

The order was received by the Jaikish Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society, based in Kalliyur, Peringammala, as per the order given to Handex by the State Handloom Directorate.

According to society secretary V Santosh, this is the fourth consecutive year the cooperative has woven handloom clothes for the prime minister and Union ministers.

The President will be presented with a saree crafted from gold thread, while the Prime Minister will receive a ponnada also woven with gold threads on a tissue base. For other dignitaries, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the ponnadas are distinguished by a check pattern that blends both gold and silver.

Over 20 days, a team of 15 artisans has woven a total of 15 royal sarees and 125 ponnadas. The collection will be delivered to Hantex this Thursday and subsequently assembled into gift boxes featuring curated artworks and spices from Kerala.

Santosh said he was delighted that Kasavu textiles had once again been chosen as the official Onam gift.