National Handloom Day 2022

 

National Handloom Day 2022

August 7th is celebrated in India as National Handloom Day since 2015. This day in 1905 was when the Swadeshi Movement began. It is a reminder to promote Indian artisans when we choose our clothing. 

The word “foreign” more often than not carries an intrigue and attraction for any mind. When I was a teenager mom used to get sarees as gifts when her patients or their family members returned from the Middle East. She was very picky about width and length , transparency, durability and what not. These printed synthetic sarees were invariably handed over to me. Even today they remain part of my collection. 

Little did I know at that time that India produced much richer textiles than these “foreign” sarees. Strangely the knowledge about handloom really came to me when I was on foreign land. The more I got to know about the different weaves, their intricacies and their history, the more I started falling in love with them. 

Today handloom has become part and parcel of my life. Whether I am home all day or at work, a handloom saree comes out of the closet each morning. Casual get togethers , special occasions or  formal events allow some of the finer sarees to see the light of the day. Travel itineraries are most inviting to pack some favorites. Although that has never been the goal, sarees have brought a unique identity for me.  Me without my saree just feels unnatural. 

Having realized the vast repertoire of handloom weaves from India the pride for it keeps growing. When a fellow traveler or a patient admires what I’m wearing I tend to happily share whatever I know about it. The best way to worship Saraswati is by sharing knowledge. And this flows in both directions. On one hand I share what I know, on the other, I keep asking questions about what I don’t know. The love for handlooms has led me to make genuine friendships with a lot of really special artisans from all over India. Some I have met in person, others virtually. Several of them are National Award winners in their field of art whether Sambalpuri weaves, Nuapatna ikats , Venkatgiri weaves, Ajrakh printing, paithani designs, Bagh printing, or Assam weaves. They may or may not have college degrees and they may not speak English or a language that I know. Yet for me they are highly literate, much above my qualifications. I hold them with the highest regards.  Because they know what I don’t. I learn from them and they never withhold whatever they know when I ask questions. 

I understand that not everyone can afford to buy handlooms. But there are still plenty who can afford handlooms, yet don’t buy them. They may splurge on western designer wear or even goods from Indian designers who market powerloom fabrics. These are the folks who need to be educated. What I don’t like however is when the so called “ handloom moral police” criticize this group  and use snarky language towards them. Education and inspiration can change people, harsh criticism cannot. You will only antagonize and widen the gap by using mean words. Besides, basic freedom to choose mustn’t be forgotten. 

While I consider the government did a good thing by declaring National Handloom Day, it’s responsibility has increased, not done with that declaration. The upcoming Independence Day celebrations, for instance, could have given a major boost to our weavers if the government had insisted and commissioned hand woven flags to be sold instead of imported plastic ones. There are so many things that still need to be visited and worked on to make the work of our artisans sustainable. The onus of this responsibility lies as much on the government as it does on the citizens.    

We may celebrate August 7th as National Handloom Day but we can live everyday as Handloom Day. It doesn’t have to be just sarees. The towels we use in our homes, the sheets that cover our beds, the cushion covers on our sofa, the rugs on our floors, the scarves around our necks or pajamas we wear to sleep, if we get any or all of these in handlooms we can make it a win-win for the weavers as well as ourselves. 

Our handlooms are our treasures. Our artisans are our pride and need to be valued. If you know any handloom artisan personally send them a message today letting them know what they mean to you. If you don’t know them personally just feel the piece of handloom you own and think of the hands that toiled to make it into a reality. Most of the time that person sits in a crunched space, under hot conditions for hours to weave those yards. What we get to enjoy is the fruit of their labor. To remember that would be a good start. 

Happy National Handloom Day to all !! 

Saree for the day is one of my favorites. You may not instantly recognize it as a paithani . One without jari. The ruby red body is flanked by black borders and pallu that have colorful asawali ( floral vine) design completely handwoven into it. The hallmark of such handwoven artistry is that the back side looks as neat as the front. I have worn this saree over and over again and each time I keep touching, feeling, adoring it like I haven’t seen it before. It is a true masterpiece.