Lokesh gifts Mangalagiri sari to Brahmani on the occasion of Sankranti

IT Minister Nara Lokesh boosts Mangalagiri sari weavers by gifting wife, promoting on social media, and partnering with Titan.

In a fillip for weavers of the famous Mangalagiri sari, IT Minister Nara Lokesh gifted his wife Nara Brahmani a sari specially handwoven by local artisans, on the occasion of Sankranti.

Weavers expressed joy over Mr. Lokesh’s gesture, stating that it would help bring their product to the limelight at a time when intense competition from power looms is posing a threat to their livelihood.

In the move, which is aimed at boosting awareness and interest about the sari, Mr. Lokesh posted a picture of him with Ms. Brahmani and their son Devaansh on X, with Ms. Brahmani wearing an elegant, yellow sari. The post gained significant traction on social media, with many appreciating the support for the struggling handicraft.

The Mangalagiri sari is one of four handicrafts from Andhra Pradesh to have been accorded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag — the other three being the Uppada Jamdani, Venkatagiri and Dharmavaram silk saris.

“Honoured to gift @brahmaninara a special Mangalagiri saree this Sankranti! The beauty and craftsmanship of our Mangalagiri handlooms are truly unmatched. Let’s continue to celebrate and support our skilled handloom weavers who keep this rich heritage alive,” Mr. Lokesh said in his post on X.

Thanking her husband, Ms. Brahmani said Mangalagiri saris were truly special not only for their elegance but also for their story of tradition and craftsmanship. “It’s a privilege to wear the work of our talented weavers. Wishing everyone a very Happy Sankranti filled with joy and prosperity!” she replied.

Mr. Lokesh has been actively promoting Mangalagiri fabrics in tune with his promise to the weavers to make their products a preferred choice for buyers by lending marketing support.