Ayurvastra - History
Ayurvastra has a long history developed by Siddha and promoted by kings of Thamizhagam Cheras, Cholas, Pandiyas during the first century.
There is so many evidence that cloth processed with medicinally rich herbs is used for the treatment of wounded soldiers in the war. The wounded soldier wrapped with herbal dyed handloom fabrics for curing the wound which is called as cloth wrapping treatment (ஆடை மூடு சிகிச்சை).
Even now the famous martial art Kalaripayattu (കളരിപ്പയറ്റ്) which is based on all martial art throughout the world used Veeralipattu (വീരാളിപ്പട്ട്)are seen dressed in red (dyed with kumkum).
Even now, in many parts of India new born babies are taken in herbal processed towels to immunize against micro-organisms infections.
In South India, 18 Sidhhas are considered as ancient scientists and scholars who have contributed in many fields such as Medicine, Astrology, Astronomy, Vasthu, Martial Arts, Meditation, etc. These siddhas also taught the art of Ayurvedic dyeing and making clothes with Ayurvedic Properties.
The primary sidhhar named Agastiyar, who lived very near to our place Balaramapuram. Even now, there is a hill named Agasthiyar Kooda, where he lived and taught sidhhas to this disciples. We also had a temple dedicated to Agasthiyar for his contribution to siddha and Ayurvedic Textile in Balaramapuram.
After Agasthiyar, his disciple contributed many new ideas in siddha and was promoted by cheras, who ruled the southern part of Kerala with his capital at Padmanabhapuram. Ayurvedic textiles are made by the weavers and supplied to kings and royal family. After the British rule in India, the Trivancore kings (heirs of Cheras) had an agreement with the British Government not to invade the country and paid tributes. Slowly Ayurvedic textiles become losing its importance.
During the regime of His Highness Maharaja from 1799 to 1810, handloom weaving was first introduced at Balaramapuram. The Delava of Maharaja Balaramavarma brought seven weaver families (Shaliars) from Tamil Nadu to revive the ancient method of making textiles in Balaramapuram.
The Maharaja and his Delava (Chief Minister), Ummini Thampi jointly decided to convert Balaramapuram and its surrounding places into an agro-based industrial belt with various traditional industries by thof paddy and coconut cultivation, fishing, weaving, and oil extraction. Separate streets with a clustered at identified places, providing a comparatively better infrastructure for development.
He brought skilled traditional weavers from Tamilnadu and gave facility for making Ayurveda Textiles in and around Balaramapuram. Now, this become an handloom cluster that weaves traditional clothes.
Balaramapuram handloom is very famous for it's weaving pattern and designs and feeling on the skin. More than 2000 handloom weavers still weave handloom fabrics. We are located in the center of the handloom cluster, Balaramapuram and initiated the Ayurvastra project from 2006 and revived the ancient method of dyeing technology to the modern era.
Balaramapuram is one of the panchayats that form the city of Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala, India. It is the most urbanized panchayat in the Trivandrum district. It is very near to a famous Kovalam Beach. Currently, Balaramapuram is the only center for the production of authentic Ayurvastra and Ayurvedic Textiles.
Our Founder
Our organisation was founded in 1963 by G.Sudhakaran in the name of S N Lace Weaving Center, S N represents Sree Narayana Guru, the social reformer guru-devan in Kerala, South India. Initially, the firm started manufacturing traditional Balaramapuram Handloom made with traditional organic gumming process to treat yarns in warpping. Even now, these warpping of yarn is done naturally.
In 1992, Mr. Sujeev son of Sudhakaran took in-charge of the handloom firm. Inspired by the Ayruvastra Concept, he planned to implement this in his handloom business. He also tie-up with Ayurvedic experts, Ayurvedic dyers, Organic mills, Garments units and started first Ayurvastra product in 2006 (Bedsheet and pillow cover).
In 2005, Mr. Sujeev, collaborated with handloom society in his place, who were also working in the same area.
He initially made 10,000 bedsheets and introduces the product into the market 2006. Ayurvastra concept grow rapidly throw the initiative of Mr. Sujeev and the product was launched in many countries throw the reseller program in the USA, Europe, Australia, and the Middle east.
In 2008 he got an increasing demand of Ayurvastra, an export firm was registered in the name of Kairali Exports and extended the operation into to Tamilnadu textile hub (Erode / Tiruppur / Coimbatore / Karur) where large textile operation happens in South India.
We have a full-fledged Ayurvedic facility, Handloom center, Research unit, Herbal farmland to support the Ayurvastra project. We also currently developing and society to invites all the like-minded organizations and individuals in the Ayurvastra project in 2020.
Currently, Ayurvastra Project is managed by Professional Team of Ayurvedic Experts / Ayurvedic Dyers / Handloom Weavers / Sales Experts / Support Experts.
