Quite significantly, this date was specially chosen as an ode to the Swadeshi Movement, which was launched on 7th August, 1905; and this had encouraged indigenous industries and in particular, handloom weavers.
Over time, it was seen that various communities across India developed their unique handicrafts, such as – woodwork, embroidery, and metalwork. Handlooms and handicrafts play an essential role in our culture and traditions. In fact, each state of India has its own unique story of handicrafts. They are an expression of – our creativity, our history and our identity as a nation.
Tracing back, handloom and handicrafts have been an integral part of our culture and traditions for centuries. These unique art forms are not only amazingly beautiful, but they also highlight immense cultural significance and historical value. Handicrafts are products made by skilled artisans using their hands and simple tools. The history of handicrafts in India can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization, where craftsmen made pottery, terracotta figurines, and metal objects. Over time, various communities across India developed their unique handicrafts, such as woodwork, embroidery, and metalwork.
The weave of cloth was done in the early times by hand and people used simple tools like the handloom. Over time, the art of weaving evolved and became more sophisticated, with weavers experimenting with different techniques, colors, and patterns.
Where do handlooms stand in the entrepreneurship arena?
Handloom weaving is an age-old craft which is passed from one generation to another as a family legacy. It grew as a business, but it was noticed that there was a lack of proper management skills such entrepreneurial.
Putting the focus on the handloom industry was the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman when in 2022, she said that the handloom industry should diversify to attract more youth to its products. The occasion was when she was inaugurating the Balaramapuram Handloom Producer Company Limited (BHPCL) Common Facility Training Centre here, and she pointed out that every weaver should benefit from the profit of the company.
So, in conclusion, handloom and handicrafts are an integral part of our unique culture and traditions. And, they are not just beautiful art forms but also hold immense cultural and historical value.
What can we do? We can promote handloom. By promoting and buying handloom and handicraft products, we can quite clearly and sincerely, support our artisans, preserve our heritage and promote sustainable development.
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
