Inputs management and various terminal products for the livelihood generation of Bandha Weavers of Cuttack district of Odisha

The study was conducted in Tigiria, Baramba and Banki damapara blocks of Cuttack district of Odisha having 153 Bandha weavers. Raw materials used for fabric production were yarn and dyes. Majority (56.20%) of respondents use only mercerised cotton and mercerised cotton with silk (31.37%), synthetic dyes (98.69%) and natural with synthetic dyes (1.31%). No one used natural dyes. Types of synthetic dyes used were mostly vat dye with napthol and acid dyes. They mostly depend on multiple sources like master weavers, local markets and weavers’ co-operative societies to get their required raw materials and selling of products, indicating majority of respondents were very poor socio- economic status. Nuapatana Khandua silk saris, maniabandha cotton saris, cotton, silk and tasar Bandha yarns, and lord’s fabrics of famous Jagannath Temple, Puri using single Ikat technique prior to 12^th century were the unique traditional Bandha products of Cuttack district of Odisha.So some recommendations were forwarded to Govt.for sustainability of such indigenous Bandha products as well as improvement in livelihood system of Bandha weavers in the coastal part of Odisha.