WHY HANDLOOM? WHY NOT SYNTHETIC?

 

Handloom fabrics are essentially fabrics that are woven by hand on a manually-operated loom. They are made using natural fibers, which feel significantly better against one's skin as they are processed with lesser chemicals, or in some cases, grown organically without any use of chemicals—thereby making them Eco-friendly and also putting less pressure on the environment, as they are easily biodegradable, also tends to breathe easier in handloom fabrics. They are more sustainable and uses minimal resources like electricity without causing environmental damage. This industry involves a community that has been practicing an artisan skill for generations, in which each person has a specific role and hence investing in handloom means doing your bit in preserving a traditional craft. Handlooms also come from a long and ancient tradition which distinguishes different comsmunities from each other and gives each a distinct identity. They can be woven as nine yard saris in Kanjeevaram as well as narrow four inches in Tripura. These fabrics tend to be more expensive than the synthetic mill counterparts owing to the limited production capacity and hand labor involved when compared with power looms. Certain weaves and designs are still beyond the scope of modern machines and the level of artistry achieved in handloom fabrics is unparalleled. While India provides about 95 per cent of hand-woven fabric in the world, yet there is little demand for handloom products in our country.

      Since long, we've seen Indian handloom fabrics being limited to ethnic wear. Necessity to educate the new-age customer through group travels and presentations to showcase the painstaking work that is put into the development of these fabrics will ensure the industrial growth. The secret to appreciating handloom cloth is in its touch. The unevenness of the hand and spontaneity with which patterns can be created are far more diverse than machine-made cloth.