Women empowerment
The theme of National Handloom Day 2024 is "Weaving Sustainable Futures."
Every year on August 7, National Handloom Day is commemorated to recognize the efforts and abilities of the weavers in this sector. They are conserving India's cultural and traditional heritage. This day encourages craftsmen and weavers to gain a better reputation and financial security.
India has always been known for its high-quality handloom items, which were exported as early as the 5th century BCE. India's textile products, including handlooms and handicrafts, are now exported to more than 100 nations, with the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom accounting for roughly 47% of total textile and garment exports. The handloom industry's principal exports are textiles, bed linen, table linen, toilet and kitchen linen, towels, curtains, cushions and pads, tapestries and upholstery, carpets, floor coverings, and so on. The biggest importers of Indian handloom items include the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates.
The Significance of National Handloom Day
The handloom sector represents our country's diverse cultural history and provides a significant source of income in rural and semi-rural areas. It is also a sector that directly addresses women's empowerment, as female weavers and affiliated workers account for more than 70% of the employees. Rooted in nature, it has eco-friendly production processes that require little capital and power, as well as the flexibility to develop in response to changes in fashion trends and rapidly changing client preferences.
The Swadeshi Movement, which was established on August 7, 1905, promoted local businesses, particularly handloom weavers. In 2015, the Government of India declared August 7th as National Handloom Day. The inaugural National Handloom Day was inaugurated on 7 August 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chennai.
The Art of Handloom Weaving
Handloom weaving is the process of creating textiles by interlacing threads on a loom that is manually controlled. This precise and time-honoured technique has been performed for thousands of years, resulting in exquisite fabrics known for their workmanship, durability, and distinctive cultural expressions. Weaving is a textile technique in which two unique sets of yarns or threads, known as the warp and weft, are intertwined at right angles to create a fabric or cloth. The warp threads travel lengthwise along the textile, whereas the weft thread runs horizontally.
The diversity of handloom textiles in India is astounding, with each region having its distinct weaving techniques and styles. From the Banaras brocades of Varanasi to the Pochampally ikats of Telangana, National Handloom Day brings attention to the varied and vibrant tapestry of Indian handloom traditions.
Promoting Sustainable Fashion on National Handloom Day
Handloom is a source of income for many rural people. The industry is India's second-largest employer after agriculture. Interestingly, 77% of weavers are female, and handloom allows them to be economically independent and self-sufficient. Governments may promote textile exports by offering incentives to export-oriented businesses. These can include tax breaks, export credits, and marketing assistance. The government can impose protectionist policies such as tariffs and import quotas to protect the domestic weaving sector from overseas competitors
Celebrating National Handloom Day: How You Can Participate
There are many ways to celebrate7th august national handloom day and support the handloom industry. Here are a few ideas:
Buy Handloom Products: Purchase handloom garments, home textiles, and accessories from local markets, exhibitions, or online platforms. By choosing handloom, you support weavers and promote sustainable fashion.
Spread Awareness: Use social media to share information about National Handloom Day and the importance of the handloom industry. Post pictures of your handloom purchases, share stories of weavers, and use hashtags like #NationalHandloomDay to raise awareness.
Attend Events: Participate in National Handloom Day events, such as exhibitions, workshops, and fashion shows. These events provide a platform to learn more about handloom weaving and appreciate the craftsmanship involved.
Support Weavers' Cooperatives: Many weavers are part of cooperatives that provide them with resources and marketing support. By buying from these cooperatives, you ensure fair wages and better working conditions for the weavers.
Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the different types of handloom textiles and the stories behind them. Share this knowledge with your friends and family, encouraging them to support the handloom industry.
The Future of Handloom Weaving
As we celebrate National Handloom Day, it is crucial to look towards the future and consider how we can continue to support and sustain the handloom industry
The future of handloom garments appears bright and exciting. As we continue to make mindful and sustainable choices in our daily lives, handloom clothes will play a vital role in lowering our carbon footprint and conserving our cultural legacy. By supporting handloom apparel, we may help to make the world a better place for future generations. It is also critical to raise knowledge about the advantages of utilizing handloom items, such as sustainability and eco-friendliness, in order to encourage more people to use them. With these measures in place, we can ensure that this traditional form of weaving remains relevant in today's world.
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Famous for Handloom in India - Assam
City of Handlooms - Panipat in Haryana
Types of Handloom Sarees
Kanchipuram silk saris
Maheshwari saris
Bagh print saris
Chanderi silk saris
Tussar silk saris
Banarasi silk saris
Baluchuri saris
Sambalpuri saris
Kantha stitch saris
Bandhani saris
and Munga saris are all examples of well-known Indian handloom saris.
Other states famous for Handloom sarees
Mysore Silk - Karnataka
Kasavu - Kerala
Chandheri - Madhya Pradesh
Phanek - Mysore
Eri Silk - Meghalaya
Puans - Mizoram
Sambalpuri sarees - Odisha
Phulkari - Punjab
Shisha - Rjasthan
Lepcha - Sikkim
Kanjeevaram - Tamil Nādu
Pochampally - Telangana
Pachra - Tripura
Chikkankkari - Uttar Pradesh
Bhagalpuri Silk - Bihar
Kutch - Gujarat
Ikkat - Karnataka
Manipuri Phanek - Manipuri
Conclusion
National Handloom Day is a celebration of India's rich textile heritage and the incredible craftsmanship of its weavers. It is a day to honour the hard work and dedication of those who keep this traditional art form alive, and to recognise the importance of sustainable fashion. By supporting the handloom industry, we contribute to the economic empowerment of local artisans and help preserve a vital part of our cultural heritage.
As we celebrate National Handloom Day, let us pledge to make conscious fashion choices, spread awareness, and support the initiatives that promote and protect the handloom sector. Together, we can ensure that the legacy of handloom weaving continues to thrive for generations to come.
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