Thirukkural woven in cotton: Karur weaver creates 133-page fabric book

The 133-page book, crafted by powerloom weaver R. Prabhu, features Thirukkural couplets in Tamil printed on white fabric. This unique book was brought to life over a four-month period, with Prabhu drawing inspiration from his earlier creation of a Thiruvalluvar image on cotton fabric. Instead of purchasing fabric from stores, Prabhu opted to weave it on his powerloom, saving costs and adding a personal touch to the project.

Prabhu cut the fabric into pages and used manual screen printing to etch the Tamil couplets onto each page. The book was then bound with a leather cover, showcasing Prabhu's dedication to traditional craftsmanship. He utilized pure cotton yarn for the fabric, ensuring the highest quality for his creation.

Three copies of the book have already been made, with seven more in the works, awaiting their turn for binding. Prabhu estimates that the cost of producing a single book amounted to close to ₹25,000, but he believes that future orders could lead to cost reductions. This innovative approach to bookmaking marks Prabhu's first attempt at this unique project, and he hopes to inspire others to explore creative possibilities in textiles.