Art of Re-cyclying

Activist-friends took us to Mochi Hunagund Yallappa’s (of the Muchigeri community) house. Saraswatamma and Manjula, his neighbours who make kavadi/quilts were also there. Traditionally, Muchigeri or Mochi community were involved in sewing kavadi, which is not only handmade but also a recycled product made from old saris and other used cloth.

Around 50 families still make kavadi even today. They spend two days a week collecting used cloth from the villages. Later, washing and segregating the cloth and sewing is done in their free time. This craft is exclusively made by women young and old of this community. In order to reduce competition, they follow a system where each family goes only to a particular village. The Mochis in Tavaragera alone cover up to villages. Kavadis are still widely used in this region. They are especially useful during winter, as they are thick. They can also be used as a mats and mattresses.