The name of the Padmashali community of weavers comes from two words—padma, meaning ‘lotus’, and shali, meaning both ‘weaver’ and ‘spider’The Padmashali community is identified by different names in various regions of India. The name Padmashali comes from two words—padma, meaning ‘lotus’, and shali, meaning both ‘weaver’ and ‘spider’. This Telugu-speaking Hindu community is largely found in Andhra Pradesh. Originally a sub-caste of the Devanga community, the Padmashalis split from the Devangas due to religious differences—the Devanga community follows Shiva while the Padmashalis follow Vishnu.
The community claims to be descended from Rishi Markandeya. According to a Hindu legend, Markandeya supposedly wove the first fabric from the fibres of the lotus flower to clothe the gods.
Currently, the Padmashali community and its various sub-categories weave cloths using materials ranging from cotton to silk.
