Celebrating Our Roots: My Handloom, My Pride – Part 1
Dear Passionate Community Members,
My Handloom My Pride, is an attempt to engage with you all about our profession, one intricately woven with our Sanathan Samskruthi (ancient culture). Let us embark on this journey together, starting with some essential facts about National Handloom Day.
National Handloom Day – 7th August Every Year
National Handloom Day is more than just a date on the calendar; it is a celebration of our heritage, culture, and the craftsmanship that defines the Indian handloom industry.
A Brief History:
- August 7, 1905: The Swadeshi Movement was launched in Kolkata, West Bengal, to promote Indian-made goods and boycott British products. This movement was the seed that later blossomed into the handloom industry’s pride.
- 2015: The Indian government declared August 7th as National Handloom Day to honor the significance of this movement and to support the handloom industry.
- 7 August 2015: The first National Handloom Day was celebrated, marking a new era in recognizing the contributions of our weavers.
- 2016: The government launched the “India Handloom” brand to promote high-quality handloom products.
- 2017: The National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) was introduced, offering financial assistance, training, and marketing support to handloom weavers.
- 2018: The “Handloom Mark” scheme was introduced to certify authentic handloom products, ensuring consumers receive genuine handloom items.
Objectives of National Handloom Day
The primary objectives of National Handloom Day are to:
- Promote handloom products and support weavers.
- Preserve traditional weaving techniques and designs.
- Provide a platform for weavers to showcase their work.
- Encourage people to buy handloom products and support the industry.
What is Handloom?
Handloom is the traditional art of weaving fabric using a handloom—a loom powered by hand rather than by machinery. This method has been passed down through generations, preserving the essence of Indian culture in every thread.
Popular Handloom Products:
Handloom products are as diverse as the culture they come from. They include:
- Sarees
- Salwar kameez
- Dupattas
- Scarves
- Fabrics for upholstery and home decor
Famous Handloom Sarees in India:
India is renowned for its exquisite handloom sarees, each region boasting its unique style:
- Banarasi silk sarees – Varanasi
- Kanchipuram silk sarees – Tamil Nadu
- Jamdani sarees – West Bengal
- Pochampalli sarees – Telangana
- Chanderi sarees – Madhya Pradesh
- Maheshwari sarees – Madhya Pradesh
- Paithani sarees – Maharashtra
- Mysore silk sarees – Karnataka
Techniques for Intricate Designs and Patterns:
The artistry of handloom lies in its techniques. Weavers use various methods such as Plain weave, Twill, Satin, and Jacquard to create intricate designs and patterns.
Materials:
Handloom products are primarily made from natural fibers like Cotton, Silk, Wool, and Jute, making them not only beautiful but also sustainable.
As we celebrate National Handloom Day, let us honor our traditional cultural profession with dignity and pride. Let’s weave together our thoughts, views, and knowledge to spread the richness of our culture far and wide.
Wishing you all a Happy and Productive Handloom Day! Let us celebrate our heritage by supporting the handloom industry, a symbol of Indian culture, craftsmanship, and the hard work of our weaver brothers.