Padma Shri Awardee (2017) & Innovator of Laxmi ASU Machine | Revolutionising Pochampalli Handlooms
Chintakindi Mallesham — the grassroots innovator of Pochampalli
Chintakindi Mallesham is a school dropout and grassroots innovator who revolutionised the Pochampalli handloom industry. Born in a traditional weaver's family in Sharjipet village, Aler Mandal, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, Telangana, he completed only Class VII before giving up formal education in 1986. Despite limited technical knowledge, his deep empathy for his mother's suffering from the gruelling Asu process led him to invent the Laxmi Automatic Silk Winding (ASU) Machine — a mechanical innovation that reduces the manual Asu process from 9,000 hand movements and 4-5 hours per sari to just 1.5 hours. The machine increases productivity from 2 to 6-8 saris per day and has transformed the lives of thousands of weaver families. He received the Padma Shri in 2017 under the Science & Engineering category, the Amazing Indians Award from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and several other national recognitions. The son who listened to his mother's pain and changed an entire industry, his legacy lives on in every Laxmi ASU machine humming in the weavers' homes of Pochampalli.
Chintakindi Mallesham was born into a traditional weaver's family in Sharjipet village, Aler Mandal, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, Telangana. His parents, Laxminarayan and Laxmi, taught him weaving from the age of ten. He studied at night and worked during the day, completing only Class VII after three attempts before giving up formal education in 1986. Despite limited technical knowledge, he had a natural curiosity for dismantling radios and transistors. This mechanical intuition, combined with a deep empathy for his mother's suffering, led him to create a machine that would change the handloom sector forever.
Mallesham's mother Laxmi performed the Asu process – a critical hand-winding step in the double-ikat tie-and-dye technique of Pochampalli sarees. Asu required her to move her hand over a metre-long arc across semi-circular pegs 9,000 times per sari, taking 4-5 hours. This caused excruciating shoulder and elbow pain. She often said she could not continue, and did not want her future daughter-in-law to suffer the same fate.
At age 20, after seeing his mother's agony, Mallesham starts working on a mechanical alternative for the Asu process. He divides the process into five parts and begins experimenting.
After five years of earning, saving, and buying components, he completes three parts of the machine. Exhausts all resources; faces ridicule and loan recovery pressure.
Leaves village to avoid discouragement. Works as daily-wage electrician, sends money home, and keeps working on the machine in his rented room.
Observes a movement in a Balanagar machine shop. Rushes to get a component fabricated. Fits it to his machine – and it works! The first successful prototype.
The first machine is sold, marking the beginning of commercial production. By 2001, 60 machines had been sold.
Steel frame replaces wooden frame; speed increased; thread-cut stop mechanism added. By 2004, nearly 100 pieces sold per year. In 2005, electronic components added; thread count on each peg adjustable; 90% noise reduction; electricity consumption lowered.
- Time saved: 4-5 hours per sari → 1.5 hours per sari.
- Productivity: From 2 saris per day to 6-8 saris per day.
- Drudgery eliminated: Women no longer suffer shoulder and elbow pain; they can now learn weaving on looms like men.
- New opportunities: Loom-less weavers have set up "Asu Machine Centres" and supply processed yarn to weavers – a new livelihood.
- Design variety: Machine allows more intricate designs and colour patterns, expanding marketability.
- Employment: More women can participate in the industry, supplementing family income.
Government of India confers Padma Shri under Science & Engineering category, India's fourth-highest civilian award.
- Amazing Indians Award – Presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – Best Innovation Award.
- Honey Bee Network recognition – Featured in their newsletters (English & Telugu).
- Inventor of India Workshop – IIM Ahmedabad (2008) – Invited participant.
- FAB 5 (MIT Boston, NIF, IIT Kanpur, CoEP) – Pune (2009) – Presented his innovation at an international forum.
- Telugu Maa TV & Eenadu coverage – Widely covered in local media since 2001.
Mallesham was born in 1972, but the exact date is not recorded in any official document.
What is often omitted: The lack of a precise birth date reflects the nature of record-keeping for rural families in India. While his birth year is known, the exact day and month remain unknown. This is a common challenge in documenting the lives of grassroots innovators.
Mallesham has sold over 600 machines directly and distributed over 800 machines through crowdfunding. However, the exact number is not definitively recorded.
What is often omitted: The numbers are estimates based on available records. Some machines may have been sold without being recorded, and the crowdfunding figures may not be fully documented. The lack of precise figures reflects the informal nature of the distribution process.
The Laxmi ASU Machine is said to be in the process of being patented, but the current status of the patent application is not clearly documented.
What is often omitted: Patenting processes can be lengthy and complex, especially for grassroots innovators with limited resources. The exact stage of the patent application is not publicly known. The lack of clarity on the patent status may affect Mallesham's ability to protect his intellectual property.
Despite these debates and controversies — the unknown exact birth date, the uncertain numbers of machines distributed, and the unclear patent status — Mallesham's legacy remains undeniable.
He is a school dropout who became a Padma Shri awardee, a grassroots innovator who transformed the Pochampalli handloom industry, and a son who listened to his mother's pain and changed the lives of thousands of women. His Laxmi ASU machine has liberated weavers from physical agony, increased productivity, and created new livelihoods. His story is a testament to the power of empathy, perseverance, and grassroots innovation.
As his wife Suvarna said: "I feel very happy when several women tell me that the ASU machine has given relief to them." Mallesham's journey from a semi-literate weaver to a nationally recognised innovator is an inspiration to millions.
Mallesham is now developing a fully automatic loom that would replace the strenuous leg and hand movements (3,000 movements per sari) required on traditional pit looms. A small prototype is ready; he hopes to reduce physical strain further and attract the younger generation back to handloom weaving.
Chronology & Milestones
Places Associated with Chintakindi Mallesham
Sharjipet (Aler Mandal, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, Telangana) – His native village where he grew up, learned weaving, and began his experiments. The village has a strong handloom weaving tradition.
Pochampalli (≈30 km) – The famous handloom cluster where his machine is most widely used. Known as the "Silk City of Telangana."
Hyderabad – Balanagar Workshop – The location where he finally observed the movement that gave him the breakthrough in 1999. He was working there as a daily-wage worker.
Honey Bee Network / NIF Office – Supported his innovation, helped with patenting, and connected him with investors and government schemes.
Visitor Information – Pochampalli Handloom Cluster
Weaving units: Most operate from 9 AM – 6 PM.
Pochampalli Handloom Park: 10 AM – 5 PM (closed Sundays). Entry free.
Mallesham's workshop (Sharjipet): By prior appointment (contact through NIF / local handloom association).
Best season: October – February.
Pochampalli: Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, on Hyderabad–Warangal highway (NH65).
Sharjipet: 5 km from Aler; autos available from Aler.
Nearest railway station: Aler (≈10 km) / Bhuvanagiri (≈20 km).
Nearest airport: Hyderabad (≈55 km).
- Request a live demonstration of the Laxmi ASU machine at a weaver's home.
- Buy authentic Pochampalli saris directly from weavers – support the community.
- Carry a notebook; talk to women weavers about how the machine changed their lives.
- If you wish to meet Mallesham, contact the Pochampalli Handloom Park for coordination.
- Photography of machines is allowed; avoid disrupting work.
Summary – A School Dropout Who Became a National Treasure
Chintakindi Mallesham's journey from a semi-literate weaver to a Padma Shri awardee is a testament to the power of empathy, perseverance, and grassroots innovation. He did not have an engineering degree, a laboratory, or government funding. He had only his mother's pain and an unshakable will. Today, his Laxmi ASU machine has liberated thousands of women from physical agony, revitalised the Pochampalli handloom industry, and inspired a generation of grassroots innovators.
Despite the debates and controversies — the unknown exact birth date, the uncertain numbers of machines distributed, and the unclear patent status — Mallesham's legacy remains undeniable. He is a school dropout who became a Padma Shri awardee, a grassroots innovator who transformed the Pochampalli handloom industry, and a son who listened to his mother's pain and changed the lives of thousands of women.
His story is a reminder that the best innovations often come not from corporate labs, but from the heart. As his mother Laxmamma said: "When I advised my son not to enter into caste-based profession and explained the pain of Asu, my son made it clear that he would continue and took efforts to prepare the ASU machine. After failing in his initial efforts, my son succeeded."
- National Innovation Foundation – Laxmi ASU Machine
- The Hans India – Padma Shri honour for Chintakindi Mallesham (2017)
- The Better India – Laxmi Asu Machine
- Rediff – School dropout's invention for his mother
- Wikipedia – Chintakindi Mallesham
📌 Note: Mallesham's exact birth date is not recorded. The exact number of machines distributed is not definitively documented. The patent status of the Laxmi ASU machine is not clearly known.