Handloom industry- A place of Pride

-Megha Menon

In the world of Indian weavers-

“Weavers, weaving at fall of night,

Why do you weave a garment so bright?...

Like the plumes of a peacock, purple and green,

We weave the marriage-veils of a queen.”

The beautiful poem “Indian weavers” written by the activist and poet Sarojini Naidu highlights the three stages of life in terms of garments woven by the Indian weavers. The stanza quoted above amalgamates the most active phase of human life and the tumult of mixed emotions.

A weaver’s loom is indeed our love and dearest legacy. In parts of the country where the importance of this age-old tradition has not yet evaded, threads of the most authentic form of embroidery are stitched together every day to manifest some of the most famous forms of handloom.

Most famous forms of handlooms

1. The beauty and charm of Banarasi saris from Varanasi-

Its intricate designs and gold and silver zari designs make it one of the most beautifully adorned wedding saris for brides across the country.

2. Kalamkari from Andhra Pradesh

Kalamkari is a kind of hand-painted or block printed textile art that dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization. Today, as we watch Kalamkari make a contemporary fashion statement with conventional designers, we owe it all to the skilled artisans of Venkatagiri, Pochampally, and Gadwal that continue to help relive contemporary fashion in the current era.

3. Kanjeevaram from Tamil Nadu

The roots of Kanjeevaram sarees trace back to the town of Kanchi or Kanchipuram of Tamil Nadu and are known for their exquisite pallus that are laden with Zari work. They are heavy, rich, and are perfect to reflect the modern style.

4. The Sambalpuri Sari

It comes from Odisha and is a distinctive Ikat Sari. It is first tied and dyed and later braided into fabrics giving it a fine texture. Bomkai Saris from Odisha is famous for their unique tribal prints

5. Bandhani or tie and dye from Gujarat

Tie and dye or bandhani are a derivative of the Sanskrit word 'bandh" which means 'to tie' and is one of the most popular textile arts of India. Considering they come from one of the most culturally rich states of Gujarat and Rajasthan, bandhani in its full glory is a burst of vibrant colors and glasswork.

With a roller-coaster ride in some of the beautiful handloom embroidery, let’s throw light on renowned designers who work with crafts, curating beautiful embroideries and reinventing traditional embellishments. A majority of them—from Tarun Tahiliani, J.J. Valaya, or Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla of the senior cadre to Nachiket Barve, Rimzim Dadu, and Swati Kalsi among the younger brigade have brought the reminiscent art of fashion into play.

The present situation

Micro, Small & Medium enterprises have evolved during the last few decades as a pivotal instrument in India to patron the entrepreneurs-both clusters and individuals to move ahead and expand their trade.

The Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP) is aimed at enhancing the productivity of rural clusters of the artisan in the view of revitalizing the approach and subsequent effect in the livelihood in India.

The artisans can enhance their productivity and competitiveness as well as their capacity building as a group alongside providing the much-needed boost in the handloom sector.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the prudent strategy lies in bringing a balanced compromise between retaining the cultural heritage of the profession and the starter of modern advanced technology weavers in the weaving industry.