MANGALURU: With the growing popularity for Udupi sarees, hand-woven by artisans of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, many weavers who had given up weaving have returned to the profession. “From nearly 42 weavers producing Udupi sarees two years ago, the number has gone up to 59, including five trainees. People from other communities are coming forward to learn to weave. Even during the pandemic, many weavers worked from their homes with the support of weavers’ societies,” Mamatha Rai, president, Kadike trust told TOI.