Cheap, colourful blankets of Keshurbari gain popularity

The weavers of Keshurbari village in Sadar upazila of the district are busy producing woollen blankets as chill grips the northern region during the winter.

The blankets of Keshurbari village are very popular, especially among low-income people in northern districts as it provides warmth to them for a cheap price.

The production cost remains at a tolerable level as the weavers make colourful blankets with second hand wool.

Although such blankets are produced at a few adjoining villages, blankets of Keshurbari gain popularity for its specialty in deign and making quality.

About five hundred families are living at Keshurbari. Most of the families earn their livelihood by producing woollen blankets for decades.

Blankets are produced in handlooms and the weaving process is similar to that of sari and chador (shawl). 

Though the demand for blankets is increasing for its attractive deign and usefulness, at present the weavers are struggling to run their forefather's occupation due to price hike of yarn and weaving materials.        

During a recent visit to the area, many weavers told this correspondent after the Liberation War, two or three people of the village started making blankets with handloom. Gradually many others involved in the trade and at one stage, the area got its identity as Tatipara.

Gobordhan Devnath said a group of weavers numbering eight to ten go to Shawalhat in Santahar of Bogra and buy woollen yarn from there.  

A maund (40kg) of wollen yarn is selling there between Tk 3,000 and Tk 3,500 this year which was only Tk 1,200-1,300 two-three years ago, he said.   

Weaver Babul Chandra said a blanket is sold in the market between Tk 200-Tk 225 during winter season but the hard-pressed weavers are compelled to sell it for Tk 170-180 per piece.     

Taking advantage of financial crisis of the weavers, the local money lenders and traders buy the blankets and stock it in summer season which helps stockholders to get high profit in winter, Babul said.

Government assistance is needed to run their age-old occupation, he said.   

Md Nurul Islam, chairman of Bragaon Union Parishad, said the blankets of Keshurbari are supplied all over the country.

Nurul Islam urged the government to provide financial assistance and technical support for their survival of the weavers.    

Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Chandra Biswas said it is under consideration whether the initiative is taken for blanket makers' development.