National Handloom Day 2020: “Swadeshi” To “Vocal4Local” India's Handloom Industry And Vivid Craftsmanship Taking From Kashmir's Shawl Industry To Kanjivaram Saree In Tamil Nadu
The call for “swadeshi” was given by our freedom fighters back in 1905 with a view of breaking British’s economy and emphasizing more on Indian products and encouraging Indian craftsmen. Ever since then there have been immense changes in the Indian handloom and textile industry. Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi urged to use khadi back then to PM Narendra Modi asking for being vocal for local and self-reliant today a lot has changed but this change has to be taken to another level.
Clothing has always been part of every culture. Each culture has its traditional form of clothing style and pattern. When we talk about India we are blessed with cultures as we are known for unity and diversity. We have different cultural norms in different states with their unique clothing fashion which has indeed given a boom to indigenous craftsmanship and art of weaving.
Today Indian fashion is adored and followed worldwide be it women’s sarees or Men’s Dhoti and kurta they are synonymous with India’s ethnic culture and we take immense pride in that. In our country, we have vast textile and handloom industry and each region has its specific unique specialty.
Kashmir’s shawl industry is famous across the globe. The warm undercoat of pashmina goats to the shelves of high fashion stores in India and outside, the Kashmir shawl is a highly valued luxury item. The workmanship of craftsmen in Kashmir and their ability to take the skills of embroidery and weaving to another height is commendable. It is a huge source of income for millions of Kashmiri workers and we should work more on encouraging them.
Bandhani is one of the most like fashion styles which is rooted in Gujarat but now is used across India. The bandhani is one of the most popular cloth-art forms it has tie-and-dye and weaving patterns. These colorful fabrics, flecked with tiny white-colored square dots, arranged in different patterns are correspondent of Gujarati textile art. Soft in texture and royal in look, the bandhani on gajji silk makes for a glorious adornment.
Tamil Nadu’s Kanchipuram (Kanjivaram) sarees are very popular among women’s fashion because of the gorgeous look it gives. Kanchipuram silk sarees are known for their use of colors and fine golden thread work that produce intricate patterns and weaves. Kanchipuram silks are weightier than other types of silks therefore each Kanchipuram silk saree is considered as a piece of art.
Banarasi Sarees gives some of the best collection of saree that displays wonderful art and craft. The Banarasi sarees are quite popular for their gold and silver brocade or zari, fine silk, and opulent embroidery. The sarees are usually made of finely woven silk and decorated with intricate design.
These are the factories and the handloom products, which have survived against the competition from foreign brands and machine-made clothes. The Handloom industry represents the rich artistic traditions of our country. We as a society should promote and encourage and more of the products which will help develop the rural economy and indirectly the nation’s economy as well. The handloom industry is one of the strongest backbones of our economy.
Let’s be a part of India’s rich handloom culture and appreciate the contribution and hard work of handloom weavers. Today it’s time to celebrate the efforts and hard-work of artisans and weavers preserving the indigenous crafts of India.
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