Every year, National Handloom Day is observed on August 7 to commemorate the launch of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905. The day is marked to honour the handloom-weaving community of India. It also aims to highlight the contribution of the handloom sector to the socio-economic development of the country. The day was given its designation in 2015 by the government of India.
To mark the eighth National Handloom Day, Arthshila Ahmedabad hosted an open talk show by V Sakthivel on August 8. The talk show focused on the overview of the handloom sector in today’s times
V. Sakthivel has been teaching Fibre and Yarn, Dyeing, Basic weaving and Introduction to Textiles courses at NID since 2006. Prior to joining the Faculty Development Programme at NID, Sakthivel finished his diploma in Handloom Technology (1994–97) and thereafter a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. His research interests include design for handloom sector, indigenous Indian cotton, and natural indigo dyeing traditions.
India’s handloom artisans are globally recognised for their unique weaving, printing and hand spinning. From saris, shawls and textiles to carpets made of cotton, silks, bamboo silk and even accessories, the Indian handloom sector offers an array of beauteous things that each call to be cherished and preserved.
Sakthivel said, “Instead of depending on imported things manufactured industrially, go for handloom. Give the same respect and value to things that are made by hand by various artisans. It will give importance to our culture for mapping local resources.”
An initiative to promote the Indian handloom and handicraft sector further provides an impetus to the ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Vocal for Local’ campaigns of the Government of India, in addition to strengthening urban, rural, and forest livelihoods.
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