He purchases cocoons from mulberry farms in Chittoor district. The yellow coloured cocoons are reared in large cane baskets at his residence in Hyderabad. The moths emerge after 8-10 days' piercing the cocoon at one end. "The adult moths have a short life span of four days. During this time they mate and die naturally'" Kusuma explains. The pierced cocoons are spun into yarn. This is then woven into fabrics. Weavers of Nalgonda and Ananthpur district of Andhra Pradesh produce dhotis while fabrics' including saris' are woven by the weavers of Karimnagar district. "All my products are done on handlooms and benefits several weaver families'" says Kusuma. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi' he calls this silk ahimsa. While ahimsa silk may lack the shine of regular silk' it is comfortable to wear. It's also wrinkle-free and has a better fall.

Kusuma received the patent for the eco-friendly silk last year. The new silk is favoured by the likes of Sheila Dixit and Maneka Gandhi. If the rustle of silk still distracts you' it's time you met Kusuma Rajaiah.