Sakthivel Periyasamy
Bhavani Jamakkalam Weaver · Bavani, Tamil Nadu, India
A Life at the Loom
Sakthivel Periyasamy is a weaver of Bhavani Jamakkalam, a traditional handwoven textile from Bavani, Tamil Nadu, India.
Born in 1957, he began weaving at the age of fourteen. With over five decades of continuous practice, his work reflects a lifetime shaped by the loom's rhythm.
Weaving, in this context, is not an occupation separated from life. It is a daily practice; built through repetition, observation, and sustained engagement with material and process.
Bhavani Jamakkalam and the Weaver
Bhavani Jamakkalam is defined by its structure.
The bold stripes, density of weave, and durability of the textile emerge from a system that requires precision and endurance. Each line is constructed through interlocking yarns under tension, guided by the weaver’s control over rhythm and alignment.
For the weaver, this is not variation. It is discipline.
The work does not change dramatically from piece to piece. What evolves is the refinement of execution.
Practice and Knowledge
The making of Bhavani Jamakkalam involves:
- preparing and aligning cotton yarns
- constructing and setting the pit loom
- interlocking coloured wefts to form striped compositions
- maintaining even tension across the weave
The process is physical and continuous.
Over the years, Sakthivel Periyasamy has developed a deep understanding not only of weaving but also of the construction and operation of pit looms; knowledge essential to sustaining the practice.
Weaving, in his context, extends beyond the individual. Members of his family, including his sisters, are also actively engaged in the practice, reflecting the continuity of Bhavani Jamakkalam within the region.
Work and Recognition
His work has been presented beyond the region, including live weaving demonstrations and exhibitions such as those held at the Red Fort, organised by the Government of India.
At London Fashion Week, his work was recognised on stage by Oxford Fashion Studio, marking a moment where a traditional weaving practice was acknowledged within a global fashion context.
Following the presentation of WEAVE: A Bhavani Tribute at London Fashion Week, he was honoured by the Hon. Governor of Tamil Nadu, R. N. Ravi, recognising his contribution to the craft and its global representation.
Working with the Studio
The studio’s engagement with Sakthivel Periyasamy is grounded in direct interaction with the weaving process in Bavani, Tamil Nadu, India.
This includes:
- time spent at the loom
- observation of weaving techniques
- understanding material behaviour and structural construction
This engagement informed the development of WEAVE: A Bhavani Tribute, where the textile was extended into contemporary couture through its underlying logic of repetition and structure.
From Loom to Global Stage
At the London Fashion Week presentation, the weaver's presence became part of the narrative.
Positioning the maker alongside the work reframed the textile; not as material alone, but as the outcome of a lived practice.
This extended the context of Bhavani Jamakkalam:
- from domestic use
- to contemporary fashion
- to global visibility
Beyond the Loom
Alongside his weaving practice, Sakthivel Periyasamy is also actively involved in social work within the region.
The presentation of WEAVE: A Bhavani Tribute at London Fashion Week, where he appeared alongside Vino Supraja, was received with significant attention.
The moment was acknowledged across Tamil Nadu, written about by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and widely covered in the press. It contributed to a renewed visibility and revival of Bhavani Jamakkalam, bringing the textile into contemporary cultural and fashion discourse.
This reflects a broader relationship between craft and community, where knowledge, labour, and recognition remain interconnected.
Continuity
The practice of weaving continues through repetition.
There is no clear beginning or end; only continuation.
The work of Sakthivel Periyasamy reflects this continuity, where a textile tradition is sustained through everyday practice, without separation from its place of origin.
Video Documentation
The studio has documented aspects of the Bhavani Jamakkalam weaving process, including work at the loom and interactions with weavers in Bavani, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Bhavani Jamakkalam weaving process
- From loom to runway; WEAVE collection making
- Conversation with Sakthivel Ayya
About the Studio
Vino Supraja is a Dubai-based craft-led, sustainable, and ethical fashion designer known for couture and red-carpet work rooted in heritage textiles. The studio works at the intersection of craft, culture, and contemporary fashion, engaging directly with artisan communities.