Since ancient times, India's handwoven textile industry has been one of the world's largest and most renowned for making sarees, a traditional silk dress.<br /><br />At its centre is Varanasi, home to about 700,000 weavers.<br /><br />But now many are struggling to survive.<br /><br />The introduction of mechanical power looms - which can do the work of up to 10 handweavers at a much cheaper rate - have left most of the city's handlooms lying idle.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Prerna Suri reports on how a centuries old art is in real danger of extinction.<br /><br />[March 19, 2010]<br /><br />The introduction of mechanical power looms - which can do the work of up to 10 handweavers at a much cheaper rate - has left most of the city's handlooms lying idle.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Prerna Suri reports from Varanasi on how a centuries old art is in real danger of extinction.<br /><br />[March 19, 2010]
