Celebrating Indian Handloom Heritage: Tenth National Handloom Day Exhibition Notes
Celebrating the tenth National Handloom Day, the “VIRAASAT” exhibition started in Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi on August 3, 2024. Celebrated under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, under the National Handloom Development Corporation Ltd (NHDC), the event honors a fortnight committed to exhibiting India’s rich handloom legacy. The show will last until August 16, 2024.
“VIRAASAT,” meaning “heritage,” carries on the yearly National Handloom Day festivities. August 7, the official National Handloom Day, will mark the climax of this year’s festival, therefore underscoring the importance of handloom weaving and crafts in India’s cultural and commercial fabric. The show seeks to link handloom weavers and artists with the market therefore giving them a stage on which to show and market their creations.
Featuring handloom goods from several exotic areas around India, the show is open everyday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. From Banarasi silks to Madhubani weaves, attendees can peruse 75 booths showcasing a variety of handloom traditions. Along with live loom demonstrations, the festival features beautifully chosen displays of India’s beautiful handloom variety, workshops on natural colors, kastri cotton, design, and exports. Further events enhance the cultural experience by including regional foods and folk dances.
In his 112th edition of “Mann Ki Baat,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the extensive influence of handloom artists all throughout India. He underlined how well handlooming goods appeal to the public and urged individuals to post their locally produced goods on social media under the hashtag “#MyProductMyPride.”
National Handloom Day has its roots in August 7, 1905, during the Swadeshi Movement, which promoted handloom weavers especially and indigenous businesses overall. 2015 saw a rebirth of its historical relevance as the Indian government chose to formally mark the day. Prime Minister Modi opened the first National Handloom Day in Chennai, honoring the handloom industry’s contributions to India’s socioeconomic growth and thereby reiterating the will to protect this legacy.
Employing around 3.5 million people and playing a vital part in India’s cultural legacy, the handloom industry ranks second among all employers after agriculture. Deeply ingrained in ancient customs, handloom weaving produces distinctive goods including Jamdani, Ikkat, and Phulkari from every region. Renowned for their complex designs, traditional motifs, and superb workmanship, these handwoven pieces
Emphasizing quality and environmental sustainability, the government of India has started several programs to assist and advance handloom goods. These initiatives seek to provide handlooming goods a unique character so that they satisfy high requirements and offer buyers authenticity. By presenting their outstanding work to a larger audience, the exhibition aims to improve the market for handloom products and raise the livelihoods of artists.
The “VIRAASAT” exhibition not only honors the creativity and legacy of Indian handlooms but also underlines the country’s will to protect and advance this essential feature of its cultural inheritance.
