Threads Across Continents: A Silk Story from Macclesfield to Southern India 

Earlier this month, I had the honour of being invited to visit The Silk Museum and Paradise Mill in Macclesfield - a town renowned as the historic centre of the British silk industry. Walking through the museum’s fascinating collections and the mill’s preserved weaving halls felt like stepping back into a time when Macclesfield silk was exported across the world.

The first thing that strikes you as you step into Paradise Mill is the sound. It’s a profound silence, heavy with the phantoms of industry. You can almost hear the rhythmic, deafening clatter of the Jacquard looms that once filled this space with a thunderous purpose. You can almost smell the history in the aged timber and the faint, lingering scent of machine oil.

Macclesfield was indeed a pioneering centre for Jacquard silk weaving, with the first silk-throwing mill established in 1743. Paradise Mill, now part of the Silk Museum, houses the largest collection of Jacquard silk handlooms in Europe, showcasing the town's significant role in this weaving innovation. It marked the beginning of Macclesfield's rise as a prominent silk manufacturing centre. 

One of the true highlights of my visit to the Paradise Mill was seeing the Jacquard punching card machine up close. I was fascinated by how this early technology allowed weavers to create incredibly intricate patterns by feeding programmed cards into the loom — a system many regard as a precursor to modern computing. What inspired me even more was learning that it was the women designers of the mill who mastered this complex craft. These women were the original coders of the textile world, meticulously punching each hole by hand, their precision and focus determining the flawless beauty of the final fabric. Their creativity and technical skill brought Macclesfield’s silk patterns to life, leaving a legacy that continues to shine today. Even today, these machines are used in South India by many women weavers who keep the beauty and tradition of silk alive.

I also witnessed the Model Power Loom, a working miniature with four heald shafts. This ingenious model represents the innovation and craftsmanship that made Macclesfield a powerhouse of silk production in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Here in Macclesfield, the story was one of industrial might. The dedication required to dress a Jacquard handloom, the mathematical precision needed for a flawless pattern, the pride in a finished piece of silk—these are the threads that connect the weavers of Macclesfield to the artisans of South India.

For most visitors to Macclesfield’s magnificent Silk Museum, it’s a fascinating journey into Britain’s industrial past. For me, it was a pilgrimage. It felt like coming home. A distant echo of a story I’ve known my whole life.

For me, the experience was deeply personal. I’m the grandson of a South Indian silk doyen, a man who dedicated his life to the traditional art of handloom silk weaving.

My grandfather, the late Kasetty Srinivasulu, built a significant silk weaving legacy in South India, specialising in intricate handwoven sarees. The rhythmic shuttle of his weaving carried cultural and economic importance for our community.

There’s a cherished story in my family about my grandfather. In the early 1960s, when Queen Elizabeth II visited a newly independent India, he had the rare honour of presenting her with a handloom-woven silk garment. It was more than just a gift, it was a symbol of tradition, craftsmanship, and the pride of a nation finding its voice on the world stage.

His life — and the untold stories of thousands of weavers like him — inspired my debut novel, Warp and Weft, a tribute to the resilience, artistry, and traditions of South India’s silk industry.

Set in the fictional South Indian village of Zarivaram, Warp and Weft tells the story of Narayana, a determined orphan who dreams of transcending poverty through the South Indian silk trade. It explores the deeply human side of the handloom industry—the aspirations, sacrifices, and resilience of rural weavers facing the challenges of a modernising world.

As I stood in the museum, I realised that the stories of the Macclesfield mill workers and my characters were two verses of the same song. Both faced immense struggles, fought for their livelihoods, and poured their souls into creating beauty from a single, delicate thread. The museum’s dedication to preserving this rich history is a profound act of remembrance, honouring the lives behind the fabric. It beautifully complements the very reason I wrote my book: to offer a glimpse into a way of life where silk is more than just a textile. 

Visiting Macclesfield Silk Museum made me reflect on the parallels between England’s industrial silk heritage and India’s traditional handloom practices. The shimmering thread of silk connects us across continents and centuries. Whether in the Jacquard designs of Macclesfield or the ornate sarees of South India, silk is never just fabric. It is an identity and heritage.

As the Paradise Mill tour revealed, the machinery and techniques may have changed, but the shared spirit of innovation, craftsmanship, and perseverance connects weavers across continents. In the same way, Warp and Weft seeks to preserve the memory of India’s silk traditions, much like the museum safeguards Macclesfield’s story.

My visit reiterated a simple truth. Behind every silk thread lies a story. Institutions like The Silk Museum Macclesfield keep those stories alive, and I hope my book contributes to the wider global conversation about the importance of preserving silk heritage in both England and India.

• Vinay Jalla (author) pictured beside a loom in The Silk Museum, draped in a traditional silk angavastram / అంగవస్త్రం with a pure gold zari border. The angavastram (a single, unstitched piece of cloth worn over the shoulders) holds deep cultural significance in India. More than just attire, it is a symbol of respect and honour. (Photo: Balaji Jalla)

WATCH VIDEO: Model Power Loom in action!

Join Vinay Jalla on his visit to the Macclesfield Silk Museum for a look at a truly unique piece of history: the Model Power Loom. 

In this video, see the beautifully crafted model, built by Mr. W. Bailey, which won first prize at a Macclesfield exhibition back in 1938. 

The loom is shown in full operation, providing a fascinating glimpse into the mechanics of silk weaving and the ingenuity of Britain's industrial heritage.

YouTube link