Manipuri cloth, a type of handwoven fabric unique to Sylhet that comes in block, stripe, and flat colour print, has recovered in tandem with the waning coronavirus pandemic.
Local and foreign tourists began flocking to Sylhet when the authorities relaxed all limitations on public transportation in response to the falling Covid-19 rate of infection. The travellers seldom forget to pick up a few Manipuri goods on their journeys, especially before the winter season.However, as the Covid-19 pandemic put economies around the world into recurrent lockdowns, interest for such items has been virtually nonexistent for the past 19 months.
Local and foreign tourists began flocking to Sylhet when the authorities relaxed all limitations on public transportation in response to the falling Covid-19 rate of infection. The travellers seldom forget to pick up a few Manipuri goods on their journeys, especially before the winter season.However, as the Covid-19 pandemic put economies around the world into recurrent lockdowns, interest for such items has been virtually nonexistent for the past 19 months.
However, with the coronavirus rate of infection now appearing to be under control with the implementation of mass vaccination programmes, Manipuri weavers and traders in Sylhet are experiencing a tremendous surge in demand for winter products such as comforters and warm clothes.
There are at least 30 Manipuri apparel and tailoring shops on either side of Lama Bazar in Sylhet city, and 100 shops in the Moulvibazar district’s Srimangal and Kamalganj upazilas. During a visit to the area last Friday, practically all local businesses sold Manipuri items of comparable quality, pricing, and style. Because the prices are maintained cheap, these products are purchased by people from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Women account for the majority of the local industry’s customers, with Manipuri saris ranging in price from Tk 1,000 to Tk 10,000.
Similarly, towels range in price from Tk 90 to Tk 500, bedsheets from Tk 800 to Tk 1,500, and blankets from Tk 320 to Tk 10,000.
There are at least 30 Manipuri apparel and tailoring shops on either side of Lama Bazar in Sylhet city, and 100 shops in the Moulvibazar district’s Srimangal and Kamalganj upazilas. During a visit to the area last Friday, practically all local businesses sold Manipuri items of comparable quality, pricing, and style. Because the prices are maintained cheap, these products are purchased by people from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Women account for the majority of the local industry’s customers, with Manipuri saris ranging in price from Tk 1,000 to Tk 10,000.
Similarly, towels range in price from Tk 90 to Tk 500, bedsheets from Tk 800 to Tk 1,500, and blankets from Tk 320 to Tk 10,000.
“While finishing my education, I would manufacture Manipuri clothing with my mother to earn a little extra for our family, but revenues were nearly nonexistent after Covid-19 ordered everyone to stay home,” said L Nandita Debi, a resident of Homerjan village in Kamalganj.
Many other Manipuri traders, like her, suffered difficult times in that situation and were forced to sell their wares at low prices.
“However, the scenario has since changed as many weavers now sell directly to end consumers,” Debi added, adding that e-commerce played an important role in this regard. However, regional weavers like Minti Sinha and Shiuly Rani Sinha in Kamalganj say the industry is not what it once was. The identical piece of fabric now costs around Tk 500.
Apart from higher cost of raw materials, the major hurdles for marketing Manipuri products are a lack of funding, a lack of official sponsorship, and timely education. Anamika Sinha, a Manipuri weaver from the same upazila, said numerous wholesalers from around the state are flocking to place orders that had been stalled due to the pandemic.
However, due to a yarn scarcity, weavers are still unable to meet the increased demand. “Although there is a high demand for Manipuri textile both at home and abroad,” she says, “there is a scarcity of raw materials and government backing.” Initially, the business could survive solely on raw materials available in Sylhet, but as demand grew, weavers began purchasing supplies from Dhaka, Narsingdi, and Chattogram. However, raw material supplies continue to be in limited supply.
“As a result, it is critical to prioritise the supply of raw materials in this industry,” she stated.
Many other Manipuri traders, like her, suffered difficult times in that situation and were forced to sell their wares at low prices.
“However, the scenario has since changed as many weavers now sell directly to end consumers,” Debi added, adding that e-commerce played an important role in this regard. However, regional weavers like Minti Sinha and Shiuly Rani Sinha in Kamalganj say the industry is not what it once was. The identical piece of fabric now costs around Tk 500.
Apart from higher cost of raw materials, the major hurdles for marketing Manipuri products are a lack of funding, a lack of official sponsorship, and timely education. Anamika Sinha, a Manipuri weaver from the same upazila, said numerous wholesalers from around the state are flocking to place orders that had been stalled due to the pandemic.
However, due to a yarn scarcity, weavers are still unable to meet the increased demand. “Although there is a high demand for Manipuri textile both at home and abroad,” she says, “there is a scarcity of raw materials and government backing.” Initially, the business could survive solely on raw materials available in Sylhet, but as demand grew, weavers began purchasing supplies from Dhaka, Narsingdi, and Chattogram. However, raw material supplies continue to be in limited supply.
“As a result, it is critical to prioritise the supply of raw materials in this industry,” she stated.
