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Tag: #CulturalHeritage

Miss World 2025: Contestants Visit Charminar | 72nd Pageant Set to Dazzle Hyderabad

Hyderabad, India — June 2025

The streets of Hyderabad came alive with color, charm, and global glamour as 109 contestants from across the globe, participating in the 72nd Miss World pageant, embarked on a vibrant Heritage Walk at the historic Charminar. The visit marked a major cultural highlight in the lead-up to the pageant finale, showcasing the city’s rich legacy and warm hospitality.

A Royal Welcome in the Heart of the Old City

As the contestants arrived at Charminar, they were greeted by the spirited beats of traditional Marfa and Naubat drums, performed by a 12-member local troupe. With cheers from the crowd and the buzz of cameras, the Miss World hopefuls stepped into the spotlight amid the historic arches of Charminar, one of India’s most iconic landmarks.

Dressed in elegant attire, many of the contestants embraced Indian culture by donning local garments and accessorizing with traditional Hyderabadi bangles, adding a beautiful cultural fusion to the day’s events.

Strolling Through Laad Bazaar: A Cultural Experience

From Charminar, the delegates proceeded to Laad Bazaar, Hyderabad’s famous marketplace renowned for its dazzling bangles, pearls, and intricate handicrafts. As part of a curated shopping and cultural immersion experience, the beauty queens visited nine selected stores, interacting with local artisans and watching live demonstrations of bangle-making.

In a heartwarming moment, several shopkeepers declined payment from the delegates, instead offering handcrafted bangles as gifts—an act that beautifully showcased the city’s generous and hospitable spirit.

Charminar Photo Op Becomes Global Moment

As expected, the photo session in front of Charminar became a global highlight. Social media buzzed with images of contestants from countries like Brazil, Nigeria, Japan, and South Africa standing together in solidarity and elegance. The striking juxtaposition of global fashion and centuries-old architecture created a powerful visual narrative of cultural unity.

Dinner at Chowmahalla Palace: A Regal Affair

Later in the evening, the entourage was treated to a royal dinner at the majestic Chowmahalla Palace. Guests were welcomed with traditional henna ceremonies and performances showcasing Telangana’s folk music and dance. Many contestants participated enthusiastically, draping themselves in local Nizami-style attire for an authentic cultural experience.

More Than a Pageant: “Beauty with a Purpose”

The visit underscored Miss World’s long-standing motto: “Beauty with a Purpose.” Beyond fashion and glamour, the event celebrated mutual respect, cultural exchange, and social goodwill. For Hyderabad, it was not just about playing host—it was about telling its story to the world through heritage, artistry, and kindness.

What’s Next?

As Hyderabad continues to host the pageant activities, anticipation is building for the Miss World 2025 grand finale at HITEX on May 31. The city has already set a high standard for cultural richness and international welcome—and more dazzling moments are sure to follow.

Stay tuned as the journey of Miss World 2025 continues to unfold across Hyderabad’s palaces, temples, and tech corridors, blending elegance with tradition in every step.

Pochampally Ikkat: A Tradition in Transition

Pochampally: The Looms of Legacy and the Future of Ikkat Weaving
Nestled in the heart of Telangana, the town of Pochampally is world-renowned for its mesmerizing Ikkat patterns and exquisite handwoven sarees. Often dubbed as the “Silk City of India”, Pochampally’s weavers blend tradition and precision in a complex textile art that has earned a Geographical Indication (GI) tag and global recognition.

The Step-by-Step Process of Making a Pochampally Ikkat Saree

  1. Collection and Preparation of Yarn
    The process begins with sourcing cotton or silk yarns, typically procured from mills in nearby towns like Hyderabad or Warangal.

Degumming and Bleaching: For silk, the raw yarn is degummed and bleached.

Drying: The cleaned yarn is dried before dyeing begins.

  1. Designing and Marking the Pattern
    Pochampally’s magic lies in its “tie and dye” resist technique. Patterns are designed on graph paper, and each color and section is meticulously calculated.
  2. Tying the Yarn (Resist Dyeing)
    This step, called “Bandhana”, involves:

Tying sections of yarn tightly with threads to prevent dye penetration.

These areas remain undyed during the dyeing process, creating intricate patterns.

  1. Dyeing the Yarn
    Yarns are dipped in dye vats (using natural or synthetic dyes).

The process is repeated for multiple colors, drying and retying in between.

This phase demands immense precision, as the final pattern must align perfectly when woven.

  1. Warping and Loom Preparation
    Once dyed, yarns are set up on the warp beam (longitudinal threads). The loom is then calibrated manually to match the design specifications.
  2. Weaving the Fabric
    Using pit looms or frame looms, weavers interlace the dyed yarns into complex, colorful patterns.

The weft (horizontal threads) and warp (vertical threads) need to match precisely.

Each saree can take 7–10 days depending on the complexity of the design.

Challenges Faced by Pochampally Weavers
Despite the beauty and demand of their craft, Pochampally weavers face multiple hardships:

  1. Declining Profits
    Middlemen often take the lion’s share of profits.

Fluctuations in raw material prices (especially silk) impact earnings.

  1. Lack of Market Access
    Limited reach to national and international markets.

Dependence on government exhibitions or state-run emporiums.

  1. Labour-Intensive Process
    The intricate dyeing and weaving process is time-consuming and physically taxing.

Younger generations are migrating to urban jobs, leading to a decline in skilled artisans.

  1. High Cost of Modernization
    Power looms and automatic dyeing machines are costly.

Many weavers cannot afford to invest without external help.

Financial Support: Loans and Schemes
The government and cooperative societies have introduced various aids:

  1. Weaver Credit Card (WCC) Scheme
    Offers loans up to ₹2 lakhs at subsidized interest.

Helps in purchasing raw materials, looms, and other necessities.

  1. Mudra Loans
    Offered under Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana.

Enables micro-financing for artisan-led enterprises.

  1. Cooperative Societies and DWCRA Groups
    Help in bulk procurement, marketing, and fair pricing.

Provide weavers with basic wages and shares in profits.

  1. Handloom Weavers Comprehensive Welfare Scheme
    Covers insurance, health, and pension benefits for registered weavers.

Innovative Ideas to Boost Productivity and Sustainability
To keep the legacy of Pochampally alive, a blend of traditional skill and modern innovation is key.

  1. Digital Design and CAD Tools
    Use of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools for pattern-making.

Helps weavers replicate and innovate faster with fewer errors.

  1. Solar-Powered Looms
    Reduces dependency on erratic power supply.

Cuts energy costs and boosts working hours.

  1. E-commerce and Direct-to-Customer Models
    Platforms like Amazon Karigar, GoCoop, and personal websites enable weavers to reach global buyers.

Eliminates middlemen and improves profit margins.

  1. Skill Development and Youth Training
    Government and NGOs offer training in dyeing, modern weaving techniques, and digital literacy.

Attracts younger generation to continue the craft.

  1. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Practices
    Adoption of natural dyes, organic cotton, and water-recycling units for dyeing processes.

Appeals to environmentally conscious consumers globally.

Conclusion: Weaving a Brighter Future
Pochampally’s Ikkat is more than just fabric—it’s a tapestry of culture, patience, and artistry. With appropriate financial backing, modern infrastructure, and greater visibility, the skilled hands of Pochampally can continue weaving not just sarees but also a stronger future for their community.

The Legacy Weaver: Biography of Ramesh Ramanadham

Ramesh Ramanadham

Crafts Revivalist | Textile Designer | Natural Fibres Expert | Handloom Advocate

Ramesh Ramanadham is a celebrated Indian designer, crafts revivalist, and subject matter expert with over 37 years of pioneering work in handlooms, handicrafts, natural fibres, and natural dyes. Deeply rooted in tradition and driven by innovation, his mission is to revive, restore, and sustain India’s rich artisanal legacy, while creating sustainable livelihoods and socially connected ecosystems for craftsmen.

Core Contributions & Expertise

  • Spearheading the revival of naturally coloured cottons to uplift Khadi, restoring its traditional processes and equipment.
  • Revived the 400-year-old handmade paper industry in Aurangabad with INTACH.
  • Leading the holistic revival of Cheriyal Dolls, an ancient craft of Telangana, focusing on eco-friendly materials, story-based narratives, and sustainable market strategies.
  • Engaged with over 36,900 individuals through seminars and workshops, spreading awareness about India’s cultural heritage in crafts.
  • Empanelled designer with NIMSME, and a regular speaker at national and international platforms.

Pioneering Product Innovations

Ramesh holds the distinction of being the first in India (specifically combined Andhra Pradesh in the 1990s) to commercially develop several unique fabrics and applications, including:

  • Cotton-Jute, Cotton-Flax, Cotton-Linen blends in Single and Double IKKAT
  • Kalamkari prints on Madras checks, brushed fabrics, upholstery, and knitted fabric
  • Introduction of eco-textiles like vegetable-dyed handlooms, Katari Wool, Cotton-Lycra, Cotton-Wool blends, and others.
  • Extensive experimentation with natural fibres like Ramie, Banana, Pineapple, Mesta, Sisal, and wild grasses.

Social Impact

  • Conducts monthly workshops on languishing crafts and natural dye techniques.
  • Supported over 2,800 artisan families across India during the pandemic with ration and safety kits.
  • Worked with student and artisan communities across NIFT, NID, IITs, and craft clusters nationwide.

Early Journey & Legacy

Beginning his journey in 1987 with flavoured potato chips, Ramesh pivoted to handlooms after witnessing weavers’ distress. He co-founded Leela Handlooms, later transitioning to R S Krafts in 2015 — a tribute to his great-grandfather, Ramanadham Ramalingam Sr., who was honoured by King George V at the British Empire Exhibition in 1924 for his weaving prowess and community work (including building the Ramanadham Canal in Kandukur, Prakasam District).

Recognition & Awards

  • Vishisht Seva Puraskar on the Centenary of Dr. Marri Chenna Reddy
  • Honoured by the Telangana Government in 2022 as “Eminent Personality in Handlooms and Handicrafts
  • Recipient of the IDEA Asia Award (2020)

Global & Collaborative Engagement

Worked with leading international brands such as Guess Jeans, Diesel, Camel, Grape, and Zuzka, bringing traditional Indian crafts to a global audience.

Media & Web Presence

Featured in multiple media outlets: