National Handloom Day on 7th August

If you are in Delhi on 7^th of August look out for the National Handloom celebration. The celebration start in real earnest a week or to be particular 1^st of August onward. What is exciting is that the officials pull out all stops to put out a great show. In this process one witnesses handlooms of the country at its best. There are also live demonstrations of weaving taking place. One gets access to some fantastic weavers from across the country.

7^th August 1905 was the day when the Swadeshi Movement was launched. It was launched in Calcutta Town Hall. It was aimed to promote domestic and indigenous goods and products. Primarily amongst them the handloom which was a way to boycott imported goods especially apparel. To commemorate this and give a boost to the domestic production especially those woven by hand, the National Handloom Day was launched. The first one was held on 7^th August 2015 and inaugurated by the PM Shri Narendra Modi. Since then the celebration has swelled and participation increased.  There is a genuine attempt to create awareness about our long forgotten weaves and handwoven products. What is even more exciting is that the celebration brings some of the best craftsmen and their products to Delhi.

Where – 1. Crafts Museum (it is now called National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy) at Bhairon Marg is where a lot of action takes place. There are exhibition, exclusively created shows, launches and more.

2. The Handloom Haat at Janpath has a thematic sale on. It again brings together some excellent handloom weavers. It is an ideal place to shop and source.

3. This year, there is a one day exhibition with some leading handloom brands at Hotel Ashok called Naad.

4. The most important part of the celebration at Bharat Mandapam where Sant Kabir Awards and National Awards will be given. There is more celebration at Bharat Mandapam.

Timings – It is held for 10 days from the 1^st of August to the 10^th of August. Please check with individual venues for more information.

Highlights – It is the display of handlooms which is the cynosure of all eyes. Some old brocades from Varanasi, Tamil Nadu has been put on display at the Crafts Museum. There is an installation curation with FDCI and India Art Fair which has participation by seven separate entities.

Insider Tip – This time, there is a demonstration by a lady weaver from Manipur using the loin loom. It is a breath of fresh air to see someone from there. Otherwise, it is the usual people from Delhi who come. There is a brocade weaver from Benares who is excellent in weaving Tanchoi, brocade weaving, jala technique and amru. The treat is the Kani weaver from Kashmir who makes the exquisite do rookha Kani shawls. The weaving technique which is sung out for the weaver to understand and weave. The song for his weave is also kept there.