Rich Handloom of India
The feel of the woven fabric. Texture. Weft and warp. The complexity of the design and symmetry. The story behind each beautiful sari. The wonder of the skill, passion, and hard work they put into creating it. The handloom sector in India plays a vital role in our economy and employs 43 lakh weavers in rural and urban areas. Many of us engage in promotional, marketing, and design-related activities related to handloom.
History
Archaeological evidence marks the beginning of handloom in the Indian subcontinent back in the Indus Valley Civilization. Subsequent Aryan settlers in the region also adopted and continued the practice of weaving cotton and wool in such ways as dyeing and embroidering. Weaving, knitting, dyeing, and other textile-related arts produced a thriving housing industry. The Indian handicraft industry, while operating at the domestic level, has also experienced an increase in global acquisitions. The Roman Empire imported Indian cotton and silk fabrics, and Indian silk was sold in China via the Silk Route in western countries.
Originality
The use of machinery has led to illegal handicrafts and handicrafts in Indian markets. In Indian handicrafts, however, international competition is not a problem. The genuine concern of home-based artisans is the prominent manufacturers of large-scale handicrafts. They have the resources to match customer trends, respond to them quickly and deliver their products through appropriate distribution channels.
The fact is that a weaver in Banaras usually takes fifteen days to complete one sari, and his monthly income is just south of Rs. 4,000, which is not enough to feed a person, let alone a family. Ironically, the government has provided free electricity to power stations, and cable workers have been reduced on the side.
Sadly, even the most significant fans of handicrafts and craftsmanship can rarely distinguish between genuine handicrafts and factory designs. There are a few ways to differentiate between natural silk and synthetic polyester fabric. One way is to burn fibre from the fabric. If the thread leaves remnants like plastic on the back, you know you have a saree made of polyester. But the thread that disappears completely, without a trace, is evidence of pure silk or cotton fabric. There is a beauty difference too. If you look closely, you will see that handloom weaving. That is one of the oldest features of the handloom; little difference between each thread.
The government has taken specific steps to distinguish authentic products from counterfeit ones. Authentication tags are assigned, depending on the category. Woolmark, Silkmark, Cotton and Craftmark are associated with wool, silk, and cotton respectively. It is up to the customer to inspect the product closely to determine its origin. It is good to buy from organisations that follow Fair Trade Norms.
Adaptability
Handicrafts men and weavers were already having difficulty due to various challenges as the plague hit the industry. Small businesses have been hit hard as this changes consumer sentiment across the sector. Businesses are now operating through online sites and modern tools. This has greatly helped craftsmen, weavers, and businesses in these difficult times.
Kankatala’s Anirudh says online access to the internet has put them in a better position over the past three years. “During the epidemic, we made it easier for our customers to shop online”, he says. “Our staff operates video calls from our stores and facilitates door delivery to our customers. We have sold at least 25 sarees a day, and 2,600 sarees have been sold since the fall. As a result, there’s a 95 per cent increase in online sales”. The sounds of unit-operated handlooms can be heard again now. The industry also believes that government programs such as Vocal for Local and Atma Nirbhar Bharat are expected to restore the lost sheen of the handicraft industry in India.
Objective
Handloom production meets the two objectives of green production and job creation, especially in rural India. This is a good update on the Prime Minister’s integrated development agenda for “SABKA SATH, SABKA VIKAS”. To provide a better return for handicrafts, e-Commerce has always been the call of the day and reduced transaction costs without creating better limits for weavers.
The “India Handloom” brand will evolve into a flawless, socially and environmentally friendly product that caters to the needs of high-end consumers looking for handmade products. Manufacturers will be encouraged to maintain the quality of the product, which will be specified. All products under this sector must have the quality marked with raw material, processing, packaging and labelling without proving the origin of the handicraft.
The Handloom sector plays a vital role in the country’s economy. It is one of the most extensive economic services offering direct employment to more than 65 lakhs people engaged in weaving and cooperation. As a result of effective Government interventions with financial assistance and the implementation of various development and social programs, the sector has been able to withstand competition from the power loom sectors.
The sector accounts for about 19% of the country’s total textile production and contributes significantly to international exports. Handloom is unmatched by its versatility and versatility, which allows for testing and promoting new inventions. Handloom’s strength lies in its innovative designs, which the power loom sector cannot duplicate. Therefore, Handloom forms part of the Indian heritage and is an example of the richness and diversity of our country and the art of weaving.
