17/08/2026
Gadag-Betageri holds a unique place in Karnataka’s textile history. Weaving has been an ancestral occupation among communities such as the Devanga, Somavansha Sahasrarjuna Kshatriya, Swakulasali, Kuruhina Shetti and Pattasali.
There are accounts that Betageri was originally known as “Battegeri” — the land of cloth. The town’s identity has been closely connected with weaving for generations.
For generations, weaving was carried out on handlooms. Though production was slow, skilled weavers could create intricate designs, borders and textures.
Around 1920, Shri Guruputrappa Honnalli is credited with introducing shuttle looms to Betageri. This increased production considerably and led to varieties such as Uundisire, Chandrakali, Kempu Leni, Gulal Chikki and Kondichikki. Later, Pattakombi sarees with silk borders and cotton bodies were also woven.
Traditional handlooms continued to produce varieties such as Topateni, Madavu and Gaddimadi.
By the 1950s–60s, shuttle looms began giving way to automatic looms. B. B. Bannad and N. P. Kabadi were among those credited with bringing automatic looms to Betageri. Production increased, while the industry also required greater capital, raw materials and new categories of skilled workers.
The next major transformation was the arrival of power looms. According to the source account, Shri Yelamali of Gadag was the first to establish power looms in the area. During the 1960s–70s, power looms increasingly replaced handlooms. By 1975–76, power looms were permitted inside the city with municipal permission.
The Sarees of Gadag-Betageri
Gadag-Betageri became known for Gadi-dadi, Noolin, Ilkal, Thode Paras and Chikki Paras sarees. Gadi-dadi sarees were particularly popular across North Karnataka, while Ilkal and Thode Paras also found markets in Maharashtra.
Efforts were also made to support weavers through the cooperative sector. Shri F. M. Baradawad is credited with establishing the first weavers’ cooperative society in Betageri. Subsequently, other weavers’ cooperative societies were established.
Source: Historical account/reference material on the Gadag-Betageri weaving industry.
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