Hand looms-Back to Fashion. . . . .
The textile industry in India has been in existence since the time of our ancestors. And when it comes to employ-ability and contribution to national income , it's undoubtedly the Hand loom sector.
Even though the hand loom sector suffered a setback in terms of competition from other textile set ups, it is slowly making a comeback. Thanks to the innovative approach of weavers, one can even find designer wear in hand looms today. When the going got tough for the weavers, even the government stepped in to back them so the traditional industry could be revived.
When Mahatma Gandhi promoted use of khadi, everyone thought it was too cheap a fabric to wear. Back to the present age, khadi or any hand loom fabrics are no longer cheap. In fact, it's become one of the most preferred fabric considering it could be worn both in winter as well as summer. Such is the popularity of hand looms that this ancient industry has fought back and here to stay. Even the most well known big brands are cashing in on this rising trend by adding hand loom to their list. Be it salwar kameez, saree, kurta for men/women, even a handkerchief or a scarf ... the variety one gets to see in Hand loom are many. It's no wonder then that one can see people flocking hand loom exhibitions which have become most common in recent times.
One thing however, that hasn't changed about hand looms is its ethnicity. What started with hand-spun machine has now grown to be a mechanical process. The sector has also come up with exclusive designer wear that is catching the attention of not just Indians, but also foreigners. The sudden urge to own hand loom products has created a new demand for such fabrics. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Orissa are some of the states where hand looms are widely sold. Even shopping malls in big cities today have an entire section dedicated to hand loom fabrics.
And the industry does have a market both domestically and internationally so much so that even well-known designers in India are experimenting with the fabric. They are slowly incorporating traditional designs in their collections not just to show innovation, but also cater to the growing popularity of the hand loom industry. Some cities have dedicated stores that sell exclusive hand loom fabrics. Hence, it is no more a poor man's 'kapda', it's rather a rich man's luxury. For instance, a ladies kurti might cost you anywhere between Rs 200- 500. India's big brands have come up with innovative things using the fabric. It's also the in thing these days to possess one.
Much as we would like to dispute, the trend is slowly setting in and we are perhaps getting ready for another revolution. Agree or not, Hand looms are here to stay and make an impact!
