Known after the place where this special variety of silk sarees are woven- Molakalmuru in Chitradurga district of Karnataka, Molkalmuru translates into‘broken knees’ in Kannada. According to a local legend, the town was thus named after a battle between the natives and British troops led to a resounding defeat for the latter.

The sarees woven here have received special patronage from the prince of Mysore, Nalvadi Krishnarajendra Wodeyar, and in 2011 was granted the geographical identification tag. The technique of weaving this variety of silk continues the long tradition of silk in Karnataka. The sarees are woven mostly using the three shuttle technique and the dobby loom is used for weaving the butta (motif ) sarees. Greatly inspired by nature, stylized depiction of flowers, leaves, trees and other natural motifs are frequently seen decorating the borders of the Molakalmuru Saree