Pavithra Muddaya | Vimor Handloom Foundation

Saving the Kuruba Kambli Tradition

Pavithra Muddaya and the Vimor Handloom Foundation have been dedicated to preserving and reviving India’s handloom heritage for more than five decades. Located in Bangalore, Pavithra champions the often-overlooked traditions of Indian textiles, particularly emphasizing community-based weavers who continue the longstanding Kambli blanket tradition. In 2019, she inaugurated the Museum of Living Textiles, which highlights textiles of non-royal heritage, describing it as a space embodying “our grandmother’s handlooms.” 

Working closely with Kuruba weavers, Pavithra is committed to reviving this rich heritage. Through her foundation, she revitalizes the ancient Kambli blanket, a significant weaving tradition of the Kuruba pastoral community in Karnataka. Originally a practical and esteemed textile, the Kambli is a narrative canvas illustrating local culture, spirituality, and ingenuity. It showcases motifs like sudoku and Maugi that embody their heritage. The designs are created in the weavers’ villages on traditional looms, ensuring the work reflects their identities and craftsmanship.

By sourcing local wool and offering hands-on training, she empowers artisans to pass their skills to future generations while opening new markets for their creations. In addition to wool, the foundation also collects recycled silk from industrial power looms and broken silk cocoons from Karnataka's markets. For the weavers, this initiative represents the preservation of a craft and the restoration of pride, purpose, and opportunity.