India's handloom sector discovers its own path

Much before the organised global society made an appearance, the fashion scenes of individual countries were predominantly ruled by the traditional clothing industry. With the advent of the global society, designers started enjoying the liberty to merge various cultures and design apparel that catered to the international audience. Conversely, the magnitude of fashion going global also impacted the local art and tradition. The traditional methods of making fabric and apparels were transformed. Thus, Pakistan's zari work was altered as per the needs, requirements, and understanding of global consumers.

China managed to stay close to its traditional dresses, but finally, the charm of other countries influenced the Chinese textile and apparel world. India's handloom industry, which was once a cynosure of all eyes, lost its Midas touch for a brief period of time. The handloom industry was considered unfit to compete with commercial manufacturing. On the constructive note, with the fashion world becoming more acceptable to traditions and cultures of various countries, the handloom industry of India is once again on the path of revival.

The handloom industry of India has been getting applause for its refreshing break from the past and contemporary inclusiveness that it offers to the consumers. Though India's 6.5 million workers' handloom industry is still finding it arduous to compete at the international level, but with several cooperative handloom enterprises cropping up, the worst is already over for the handloom industry. The handloom industry of India has evolved a lot and today it comprises not only Khadi but also brocades from Banaras, Madras checks from Tamil Nadu, tie and dye from Gujarat and Rajasthan, jacquards from Uttar Pradesh, ikats from Andhra and Orissa, phulkari from Punjab and daccai from West Bengal.

The Indian handloom industry produces 13 percent of the total cloth produced in the country, and out of the total handloom produced, 16 percent is exported. The Indian handloom is not about dull and drab designs anymore. The handloom industry that produces a wide range of textile products like fabrics, bed linen, table linen, toilet and kitchen linen, towels, curtains, cushions and pads, tapestries and upholstery, carpets and floor coverings, et al provides wonderful designs that are attractive and lively. The wide variety of choice with regard to designs and colours is ensuring that the Indian handloom industry gets the limelight it deserves.

Till now the handloom weavers encountered problems like unawareness about market trends, lack of innovative designs, out-of-date looms, yarn not of required count and poor quality of yarn. These aspects hindered the handloom exports. In order to give a facelift to the Indian handloom, these issues are being resolved with the support from the government. The government of India has played a significant role in helping the handloom industry find a revered place at the international level. The statutory body Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC) working under India's ministry of textiles promotes exports of handloom products including fabrics, floor coverings, carpets, home furnishings, and others. The HEPC supports and guides the handloom exporters regarding trade fairs, exhibitions, and buyer-seller meets around the world.