• Mysore Silk: A variety of mulberry silk produced mainly in Mysore district, Karnataka.
• Karnataka produces about 9,000 metric tonnes of mulberry silk, nearly 45% of India’s total mulberry silk production.
• Silk production in Karnataka is mainly concentrated in Mysore district.
• Produced by Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation Limited (KSIC), a Government of Karnataka PSU.
• Mysore Silk has received Geographical Indication (GI) protection.

History

• Silk industry in the Mysore region declined after the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire.
• Revived during the reign of Tipu Sultan, around 1780–1790 AD.
• Later affected by:
  • Global economic depression
  • Competition from imported silk
  • Rayon
• Revived during the second half of the 20th century.
• Mysore State became a leading multivoltine silk producer in India.
• Called mulberry silk because silkworms are generally fed mulberry leaves.

KSIC Silk Factory

• Factory established in 1912 by Sri Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, Maharaja of Mysore.
• Initially produced silk fabrics for:
  • Royal family
  • Ornamental fabrics for the armed forces
• After Independence, the Mysore State Sericulture Department took control.
• 1980: Factory transferred to KSIC.
• Major products:
  • Silk sarees
  • Silk shirts
  • Kurtas
  • Silk dhotis
  • Neckties

Production Process

1. Silk cocoons mainly sourced from Ramanagara district.
2. Ramanagara is described in the source as the largest market for silk cocoons in Asia.
3. KSIC officials select cocoons through the government bidding process.
4. Cocoons are sent to the T. Narasipura raw silk production factory.
5. Cocoons are boiled to extract silk threads.
6. Threads are converted into thread rolls.
7. Rolls are sent to the Mysore weaving factory.
8. Threads are woven into different silk products.
9. Mysore Silk saree is the most popular product.

Mysore Silk Saree — Special Features

• Saree zari contains:
  • 65% pure silver
  • 0.65% gold
• This contributes to its status as one of the expensive silk sarees in India.
• Duplicate sarees have been produced and sold fraudulently in the name of KSIC.
• To prevent duplication, KSIC uses:
  • Unique ID
  • Hologram-based design
  • Unique identification barcode woven into each saree

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