Page 1
May 2024 a develop Ment Monthly
Page 2
May 2024 a develop Ment Monthly
May 2024
A DEVELOPMENT MONTHLY Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides.
Rig Veda
www.publicationsdivision.nic.in @DPD_India I @YojanaJournal @publicationsdivision @dpd_india
In ThIs Issue
number of pages: 56
Details of the Sales Outlets of the Publications Division on Page 34
YOJANA is published in Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia,
Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
Since 1957
Chief editor
Kulshrestha Kamal
editor
shuchita chaturvedi
our representatives
Ahmedabad: JS Patel, Bengaluru: Shahid T Komath,
Bhubaneswar: Manoj Kumar Jali, Chennai: Sanjay
Ghosh, Guwahati: Maruf Alam, Hyderabad:
Krishna Vandana P , Jalandhar: Gagandeep Kaur
Devgan, Kolkata: Sumita Chakraborty, Mumbai:
Sangeeta Godbole, Thiruvananthapuram: Sudha S
Namboothiry.
Joint Director, ProDuction
D K C hruDhaIna Th c over Design
BInDu Verma
Yojana (English): Room No. 647, Soochna Bhawan,
CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003.
E-mail (Editorial): sec-yojanaeng-moib@gov.in
YOJANA, a development monthly published since
1957, is a theme-based journal providing in-depth
analyses and views on socio-economic issues in
the broader framework of government policies.
Although published by the Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting, YOJANA is not restricted to
expressing the official point of view.
DIsCLaImer
l The vie ws e xpre sse d in various articles are
those of the authors and the y do not ne c essarily
re flect the vie ws of the Go vernme n t or the
organisation/ s the y work f or .
l Map s/flags use d in the article s are only indic ative
and the y do not re flect the politic al map or le gal
re presen t ation of the flag of India/an y othe r
c oun try .
l The inf ographics/figure s are pro vide d b y the
authors through the ir re liable sourc e s and
YOJANA claims no re sponsibility f or the same.
l Image s, graphics and illus trations, whe re ve r
use d, are mos tly sourc ed from go vernme n t
channels and are indic ative in nature .
l YOJANA does not o wn re sponsibility re garding
the c on t e n ts of the adve rtise men ts. The re aders
are re que s t e d t o ve rify the claims made in the
adve rtise men ts re garding c ourse s, c are e r -
guidanc e book s or ins titutions.
l YOJANA doesn't e ndorse or promot e an y brands
or privat e e n titie s prese n t ed as c ase s tudie s in an y
of the article s.
suBsCrIPTIOn/GrIeV anCes
Email: pdjucir@gmail.com
Phone: 011-24367453
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 am- 6:00 pm)
Postal Address: Abhishek Chaturvedi, Editor,
Journals Unit, Publications Division, Room No.
779, Soochna Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi
Road, New Delhi-110 003.
Please not e that it will t ak e atleas t eigh t week s t o
s t art your sub scrip tion. Kindly raise your queries/
grie vanc es about non rec eip t of the journals only
aft er this period.
SUBSCRIPTION-RELATED DETAILS : Page 43
viBraNt WOrld OF Weaves
reGiONal diversitY iN
iNdiaN WeaviNG
Rta Kapur Chishti cOllaBOratiON aNd
crOss-cultural iNFlueNces
Prof Usha Nehru Patel
iNdiaN Weaves PrOmOtiNG
sustaiNaBilitY
Lalit Kumar Gupta
exPlOriNG rare Weaves aNd
textiles OF Gujarat
Arohiben Patel
Khadi : the icON OF iNdiaN
iNdePeNdeNce
A Annamalai
7
15
23
27
31
37
35
43
49
53
Next issue : FOrts OF iNdia
uNiqueNess OF Khadi haNdlOOm PrOducts OF iNdia
FrOm lOcal tO GlOBal
Dr Pralok Gupta
Pushpendra Rajput
dO YOu KNOW?
Weaves OF WOveN FaBrics WeaviNG as a livelihOOd
Malvika Halwasiya
Our BOOKs
madhuBaNi PaiNtiNG
iNdiaN cOstumes YOJANA
Volume-68
No. 05
Page 3
May 2024 a develop Ment Monthly
May 2024
A DEVELOPMENT MONTHLY Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides.
Rig Veda
www.publicationsdivision.nic.in @DPD_India I @YojanaJournal @publicationsdivision @dpd_india
In ThIs Issue
number of pages: 56
Details of the Sales Outlets of the Publications Division on Page 34
YOJANA is published in Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia,
Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
Since 1957
Chief editor
Kulshrestha Kamal
editor
shuchita chaturvedi
our representatives
Ahmedabad: JS Patel, Bengaluru: Shahid T Komath,
Bhubaneswar: Manoj Kumar Jali, Chennai: Sanjay
Ghosh, Guwahati: Maruf Alam, Hyderabad:
Krishna Vandana P , Jalandhar: Gagandeep Kaur
Devgan, Kolkata: Sumita Chakraborty, Mumbai:
Sangeeta Godbole, Thiruvananthapuram: Sudha S
Namboothiry.
Joint Director, ProDuction
D K C hruDhaIna Th c over Design
BInDu Verma
Yojana (English): Room No. 647, Soochna Bhawan,
CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003.
E-mail (Editorial): sec-yojanaeng-moib@gov.in
YOJANA, a development monthly published since
1957, is a theme-based journal providing in-depth
analyses and views on socio-economic issues in
the broader framework of government policies.
Although published by the Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting, YOJANA is not restricted to
expressing the official point of view.
DIsCLaImer
l The vie ws e xpre sse d in various articles are
those of the authors and the y do not ne c essarily
re flect the vie ws of the Go vernme n t or the
organisation/ s the y work f or .
l Map s/flags use d in the article s are only indic ative
and the y do not re flect the politic al map or le gal
re presen t ation of the flag of India/an y othe r
c oun try .
l The inf ographics/figure s are pro vide d b y the
authors through the ir re liable sourc e s and
YOJANA claims no re sponsibility f or the same.
l Image s, graphics and illus trations, whe re ve r
use d, are mos tly sourc ed from go vernme n t
channels and are indic ative in nature .
l YOJANA does not o wn re sponsibility re garding
the c on t e n ts of the adve rtise men ts. The re aders
are re que s t e d t o ve rify the claims made in the
adve rtise men ts re garding c ourse s, c are e r -
guidanc e book s or ins titutions.
l YOJANA doesn't e ndorse or promot e an y brands
or privat e e n titie s prese n t ed as c ase s tudie s in an y
of the article s.
suBsCrIPTIOn/GrIeV anCes
Email: pdjucir@gmail.com
Phone: 011-24367453
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 am- 6:00 pm)
Postal Address: Abhishek Chaturvedi, Editor,
Journals Unit, Publications Division, Room No.
779, Soochna Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi
Road, New Delhi-110 003.
Please not e that it will t ak e atleas t eigh t week s t o
s t art your sub scrip tion. Kindly raise your queries/
grie vanc es about non rec eip t of the journals only
aft er this period.
SUBSCRIPTION-RELATED DETAILS : Page 43
viBraNt WOrld OF Weaves
reGiONal diversitY iN
iNdiaN WeaviNG
Rta Kapur Chishti cOllaBOratiON aNd
crOss-cultural iNFlueNces
Prof Usha Nehru Patel
iNdiaN Weaves PrOmOtiNG
sustaiNaBilitY
Lalit Kumar Gupta
exPlOriNG rare Weaves aNd
textiles OF Gujarat
Arohiben Patel
Khadi : the icON OF iNdiaN
iNdePeNdeNce
A Annamalai
7
15
23
27
31
37
35
43
49
53
Next issue : FOrts OF iNdia
uNiqueNess OF Khadi haNdlOOm PrOducts OF iNdia
FrOm lOcal tO GlOBal
Dr Pralok Gupta
Pushpendra Rajput
dO YOu KNOW?
Weaves OF WOveN FaBrics WeaviNG as a livelihOOd
Malvika Halwasiya
Our BOOKs
madhuBaNi PaiNtiNG
iNdiaN cOstumes YOJANA
Volume-68
No. 05
5 May 2024
Threads of Tradition
Editorial
YOJANA
i
n the intricate weave of india’s cultural fabric, the handloom industry
stands as a testament to the country’s rich heritage and artistic prowess.
From the snow-clad valleys of Kashmir to the sun-bathed shores of
Kanyakumari, india’s diverse landscape is adorned with a kaleidoscope of
hand-woven treasures, each bearing the indelible mark of centuries-old
traditions and craftsmanship. We seek to embark on a journey through the
intricate threads of india’s handloom legacy, celebrating its unparalleled
beauty and significance in the socio-economic milieu of the nation.
At the heart of india’s handloom heritage lies the profound legacy
of its weavers, whose skilled hands have breathed life into some of the
world’s most exquisite textiles. the handloom sector, ranked second
only to agriculture in india’s unorganised sector, serves as a vital source
of livelihood for over three million artisans across the country. From the
detailed Pashmina shawls of Kashmir to the vibrant Bandhani sarees of gujarat, the handloom industry
embodies the ethos of sustainable craftsmanship, rooted in tradition yet adaptable to modern sensibilities.
one cannot overlook the global recognition garnered by i ndian handloom products, which serve as
ambassadors of the country’s cultural richness on the international stage. t hrough meticulous artisanship
and unwavering dedication, indian weavers have carved a niche for themselves in the global market,
with exports surpassing $300 million annually before the onset of the c ovid-19 pandemic. Despite facing
challenges such as fluctuating market demands and competition from machine-made textiles, the resilience
of india’s handloom sector remains unwavering, buoyed by initiatives aimed at enhancing international
demand and promoting indigenous branding.
indeed, the story of indian handlooms is not just one of economic significance but also a narrative
of cultural resilience and identity preservation. Across the length and breadth of the country, handloom
clusters such as Bhujodi in Kutch, Ashavalli in Ahmedabad, and varanasi in uttar Pradesh serve as bastions
of tradition, where age-old weaving techniques are passed down from generation to generation. t hese
clusters not only sustain local economies but also foster a sense of community and cultural pride among
their inhabitants.
As we immerse ourselves in the panorama of india’s handloom heritage, it’s crucial to acknowledge the
collaborative efforts that have shaped its trajectory. various stakeholders, including government bodies,
artisan communities, and industry players, have contributed to nurturing and elevating this cherished
legacy. t hrough initiatives aimed at skill development, market access, and resource provision, a supportive
ecosystem has emerged, fostering the growth and visibility of india’s handloom sector both domestically
and internationally.
in the current edition of Yojana, we bring together insights from various subject experts and scholars,
shedding light on the multifaceted dimensions of india’s handloom industry. t hrough scholarly discourse
and informed analysis, we strive to unravel the fineprint of india’s weaving traditions and underscore their
enduring relevance in an ever-evolving world. As we navigate the diverse weave of india’s handloom
heritage, let us reaffirm our commitment to preserving and promoting this timeless legacy for generations
to come. We are certain that the intricate storytelling in the articles to follow will inspire you to know your
weaves and celebrate the rich legacy behind them. ?
Page 4
May 2024 a develop Ment Monthly
May 2024
A DEVELOPMENT MONTHLY Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides.
Rig Veda
www.publicationsdivision.nic.in @DPD_India I @YojanaJournal @publicationsdivision @dpd_india
In ThIs Issue
number of pages: 56
Details of the Sales Outlets of the Publications Division on Page 34
YOJANA is published in Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia,
Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
Since 1957
Chief editor
Kulshrestha Kamal
editor
shuchita chaturvedi
our representatives
Ahmedabad: JS Patel, Bengaluru: Shahid T Komath,
Bhubaneswar: Manoj Kumar Jali, Chennai: Sanjay
Ghosh, Guwahati: Maruf Alam, Hyderabad:
Krishna Vandana P , Jalandhar: Gagandeep Kaur
Devgan, Kolkata: Sumita Chakraborty, Mumbai:
Sangeeta Godbole, Thiruvananthapuram: Sudha S
Namboothiry.
Joint Director, ProDuction
D K C hruDhaIna Th c over Design
BInDu Verma
Yojana (English): Room No. 647, Soochna Bhawan,
CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003.
E-mail (Editorial): sec-yojanaeng-moib@gov.in
YOJANA, a development monthly published since
1957, is a theme-based journal providing in-depth
analyses and views on socio-economic issues in
the broader framework of government policies.
Although published by the Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting, YOJANA is not restricted to
expressing the official point of view.
DIsCLaImer
l The vie ws e xpre sse d in various articles are
those of the authors and the y do not ne c essarily
re flect the vie ws of the Go vernme n t or the
organisation/ s the y work f or .
l Map s/flags use d in the article s are only indic ative
and the y do not re flect the politic al map or le gal
re presen t ation of the flag of India/an y othe r
c oun try .
l The inf ographics/figure s are pro vide d b y the
authors through the ir re liable sourc e s and
YOJANA claims no re sponsibility f or the same.
l Image s, graphics and illus trations, whe re ve r
use d, are mos tly sourc ed from go vernme n t
channels and are indic ative in nature .
l YOJANA does not o wn re sponsibility re garding
the c on t e n ts of the adve rtise men ts. The re aders
are re que s t e d t o ve rify the claims made in the
adve rtise men ts re garding c ourse s, c are e r -
guidanc e book s or ins titutions.
l YOJANA doesn't e ndorse or promot e an y brands
or privat e e n titie s prese n t ed as c ase s tudie s in an y
of the article s.
suBsCrIPTIOn/GrIeV anCes
Email: pdjucir@gmail.com
Phone: 011-24367453
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 am- 6:00 pm)
Postal Address: Abhishek Chaturvedi, Editor,
Journals Unit, Publications Division, Room No.
779, Soochna Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi
Road, New Delhi-110 003.
Please not e that it will t ak e atleas t eigh t week s t o
s t art your sub scrip tion. Kindly raise your queries/
grie vanc es about non rec eip t of the journals only
aft er this period.
SUBSCRIPTION-RELATED DETAILS : Page 43
viBraNt WOrld OF Weaves
reGiONal diversitY iN
iNdiaN WeaviNG
Rta Kapur Chishti cOllaBOratiON aNd
crOss-cultural iNFlueNces
Prof Usha Nehru Patel
iNdiaN Weaves PrOmOtiNG
sustaiNaBilitY
Lalit Kumar Gupta
exPlOriNG rare Weaves aNd
textiles OF Gujarat
Arohiben Patel
Khadi : the icON OF iNdiaN
iNdePeNdeNce
A Annamalai
7
15
23
27
31
37
35
43
49
53
Next issue : FOrts OF iNdia
uNiqueNess OF Khadi haNdlOOm PrOducts OF iNdia
FrOm lOcal tO GlOBal
Dr Pralok Gupta
Pushpendra Rajput
dO YOu KNOW?
Weaves OF WOveN FaBrics WeaviNG as a livelihOOd
Malvika Halwasiya
Our BOOKs
madhuBaNi PaiNtiNG
iNdiaN cOstumes YOJANA
Volume-68
No. 05
5 May 2024
Threads of Tradition
Editorial
YOJANA
i
n the intricate weave of india’s cultural fabric, the handloom industry
stands as a testament to the country’s rich heritage and artistic prowess.
From the snow-clad valleys of Kashmir to the sun-bathed shores of
Kanyakumari, india’s diverse landscape is adorned with a kaleidoscope of
hand-woven treasures, each bearing the indelible mark of centuries-old
traditions and craftsmanship. We seek to embark on a journey through the
intricate threads of india’s handloom legacy, celebrating its unparalleled
beauty and significance in the socio-economic milieu of the nation.
At the heart of india’s handloom heritage lies the profound legacy
of its weavers, whose skilled hands have breathed life into some of the
world’s most exquisite textiles. the handloom sector, ranked second
only to agriculture in india’s unorganised sector, serves as a vital source
of livelihood for over three million artisans across the country. From the
detailed Pashmina shawls of Kashmir to the vibrant Bandhani sarees of gujarat, the handloom industry
embodies the ethos of sustainable craftsmanship, rooted in tradition yet adaptable to modern sensibilities.
one cannot overlook the global recognition garnered by i ndian handloom products, which serve as
ambassadors of the country’s cultural richness on the international stage. t hrough meticulous artisanship
and unwavering dedication, indian weavers have carved a niche for themselves in the global market,
with exports surpassing $300 million annually before the onset of the c ovid-19 pandemic. Despite facing
challenges such as fluctuating market demands and competition from machine-made textiles, the resilience
of india’s handloom sector remains unwavering, buoyed by initiatives aimed at enhancing international
demand and promoting indigenous branding.
indeed, the story of indian handlooms is not just one of economic significance but also a narrative
of cultural resilience and identity preservation. Across the length and breadth of the country, handloom
clusters such as Bhujodi in Kutch, Ashavalli in Ahmedabad, and varanasi in uttar Pradesh serve as bastions
of tradition, where age-old weaving techniques are passed down from generation to generation. t hese
clusters not only sustain local economies but also foster a sense of community and cultural pride among
their inhabitants.
As we immerse ourselves in the panorama of india’s handloom heritage, it’s crucial to acknowledge the
collaborative efforts that have shaped its trajectory. various stakeholders, including government bodies,
artisan communities, and industry players, have contributed to nurturing and elevating this cherished
legacy. t hrough initiatives aimed at skill development, market access, and resource provision, a supportive
ecosystem has emerged, fostering the growth and visibility of india’s handloom sector both domestically
and internationally.
in the current edition of Yojana, we bring together insights from various subject experts and scholars,
shedding light on the multifaceted dimensions of india’s handloom industry. t hrough scholarly discourse
and informed analysis, we strive to unravel the fineprint of india’s weaving traditions and underscore their
enduring relevance in an ever-evolving world. As we navigate the diverse weave of india’s handloom
heritage, let us reaffirm our commitment to preserving and promoting this timeless legacy for generations
to come. We are certain that the intricate storytelling in the articles to follow will inspire you to know your
weaves and celebrate the rich legacy behind them. ?
7 May 2024
eavers, printers, and dyers
represent a unique mathematically
competent yet aesthetically tuned
resource group in the villages,
small towns, and big towns. Whereas the educated
designer would be calculating fabric structure
from the number of threads per centimetre, the
weaver would offer calculations from the other
end, translating hanks of yarn into fabric structures
by weight.
Beginning the journey through india in the
deep southwest, predominantly ‘white’, state of
Kerala. White was the predominant base colour
in all parts of india before the advent of chemical
dyes in the late 19
th
century. not only because of
the compulsion of a warm-to-hot climate but also
W
because the limited availability and expense of
natural dyes, white was also a traditional statement
of purity, austerity, and restraint. t he aesthetics of
white seem to cut across class and community in a
range of ways, from weighty, strong drapes for the
not-so-privileged to fine counts and even silks for
the well-to-do. A wedding sari was often just kora
(unbleached), unwashed, and sprinkled with haldi
(turmeric) to mark the auspicious occasion.
chemical dyes and cheaper substitutes for
zari (gold metallic yarn) inadvertently opened
the door to social change, which had not found
adequate expression till then. the extravagant
use of colour and shiny surface embellishments
we so commonly associate with india today is an
expression of 20
th
-century freedom enhanced
VIBRANT WORLD OF WEAVES
REGIONAL DIVERSITY IN INDIAN WEAVING
rta KaPur chishti the author is a textile scholar, co-author and editor of the book, ‘Saris- tradition & Beyond’. email: rtakapurchishti@gmail.com
Page 5
May 2024 a develop Ment Monthly
May 2024
A DEVELOPMENT MONTHLY Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides.
Rig Veda
www.publicationsdivision.nic.in @DPD_India I @YojanaJournal @publicationsdivision @dpd_india
In ThIs Issue
number of pages: 56
Details of the Sales Outlets of the Publications Division on Page 34
YOJANA is published in Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia,
Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
Since 1957
Chief editor
Kulshrestha Kamal
editor
shuchita chaturvedi
our representatives
Ahmedabad: JS Patel, Bengaluru: Shahid T Komath,
Bhubaneswar: Manoj Kumar Jali, Chennai: Sanjay
Ghosh, Guwahati: Maruf Alam, Hyderabad:
Krishna Vandana P , Jalandhar: Gagandeep Kaur
Devgan, Kolkata: Sumita Chakraborty, Mumbai:
Sangeeta Godbole, Thiruvananthapuram: Sudha S
Namboothiry.
Joint Director, ProDuction
D K C hruDhaIna Th c over Design
BInDu Verma
Yojana (English): Room No. 647, Soochna Bhawan,
CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003.
E-mail (Editorial): sec-yojanaeng-moib@gov.in
YOJANA, a development monthly published since
1957, is a theme-based journal providing in-depth
analyses and views on socio-economic issues in
the broader framework of government policies.
Although published by the Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting, YOJANA is not restricted to
expressing the official point of view.
DIsCLaImer
l The vie ws e xpre sse d in various articles are
those of the authors and the y do not ne c essarily
re flect the vie ws of the Go vernme n t or the
organisation/ s the y work f or .
l Map s/flags use d in the article s are only indic ative
and the y do not re flect the politic al map or le gal
re presen t ation of the flag of India/an y othe r
c oun try .
l The inf ographics/figure s are pro vide d b y the
authors through the ir re liable sourc e s and
YOJANA claims no re sponsibility f or the same.
l Image s, graphics and illus trations, whe re ve r
use d, are mos tly sourc ed from go vernme n t
channels and are indic ative in nature .
l YOJANA does not o wn re sponsibility re garding
the c on t e n ts of the adve rtise men ts. The re aders
are re que s t e d t o ve rify the claims made in the
adve rtise men ts re garding c ourse s, c are e r -
guidanc e book s or ins titutions.
l YOJANA doesn't e ndorse or promot e an y brands
or privat e e n titie s prese n t ed as c ase s tudie s in an y
of the article s.
suBsCrIPTIOn/GrIeV anCes
Email: pdjucir@gmail.com
Phone: 011-24367453
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 am- 6:00 pm)
Postal Address: Abhishek Chaturvedi, Editor,
Journals Unit, Publications Division, Room No.
779, Soochna Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi
Road, New Delhi-110 003.
Please not e that it will t ak e atleas t eigh t week s t o
s t art your sub scrip tion. Kindly raise your queries/
grie vanc es about non rec eip t of the journals only
aft er this period.
SUBSCRIPTION-RELATED DETAILS : Page 43
viBraNt WOrld OF Weaves
reGiONal diversitY iN
iNdiaN WeaviNG
Rta Kapur Chishti cOllaBOratiON aNd
crOss-cultural iNFlueNces
Prof Usha Nehru Patel
iNdiaN Weaves PrOmOtiNG
sustaiNaBilitY
Lalit Kumar Gupta
exPlOriNG rare Weaves aNd
textiles OF Gujarat
Arohiben Patel
Khadi : the icON OF iNdiaN
iNdePeNdeNce
A Annamalai
7
15
23
27
31
37
35
43
49
53
Next issue : FOrts OF iNdia
uNiqueNess OF Khadi haNdlOOm PrOducts OF iNdia
FrOm lOcal tO GlOBal
Dr Pralok Gupta
Pushpendra Rajput
dO YOu KNOW?
Weaves OF WOveN FaBrics WeaviNG as a livelihOOd
Malvika Halwasiya
Our BOOKs
madhuBaNi PaiNtiNG
iNdiaN cOstumes YOJANA
Volume-68
No. 05
5 May 2024
Threads of Tradition
Editorial
YOJANA
i
n the intricate weave of india’s cultural fabric, the handloom industry
stands as a testament to the country’s rich heritage and artistic prowess.
From the snow-clad valleys of Kashmir to the sun-bathed shores of
Kanyakumari, india’s diverse landscape is adorned with a kaleidoscope of
hand-woven treasures, each bearing the indelible mark of centuries-old
traditions and craftsmanship. We seek to embark on a journey through the
intricate threads of india’s handloom legacy, celebrating its unparalleled
beauty and significance in the socio-economic milieu of the nation.
At the heart of india’s handloom heritage lies the profound legacy
of its weavers, whose skilled hands have breathed life into some of the
world’s most exquisite textiles. the handloom sector, ranked second
only to agriculture in india’s unorganised sector, serves as a vital source
of livelihood for over three million artisans across the country. From the
detailed Pashmina shawls of Kashmir to the vibrant Bandhani sarees of gujarat, the handloom industry
embodies the ethos of sustainable craftsmanship, rooted in tradition yet adaptable to modern sensibilities.
one cannot overlook the global recognition garnered by i ndian handloom products, which serve as
ambassadors of the country’s cultural richness on the international stage. t hrough meticulous artisanship
and unwavering dedication, indian weavers have carved a niche for themselves in the global market,
with exports surpassing $300 million annually before the onset of the c ovid-19 pandemic. Despite facing
challenges such as fluctuating market demands and competition from machine-made textiles, the resilience
of india’s handloom sector remains unwavering, buoyed by initiatives aimed at enhancing international
demand and promoting indigenous branding.
indeed, the story of indian handlooms is not just one of economic significance but also a narrative
of cultural resilience and identity preservation. Across the length and breadth of the country, handloom
clusters such as Bhujodi in Kutch, Ashavalli in Ahmedabad, and varanasi in uttar Pradesh serve as bastions
of tradition, where age-old weaving techniques are passed down from generation to generation. t hese
clusters not only sustain local economies but also foster a sense of community and cultural pride among
their inhabitants.
As we immerse ourselves in the panorama of india’s handloom heritage, it’s crucial to acknowledge the
collaborative efforts that have shaped its trajectory. various stakeholders, including government bodies,
artisan communities, and industry players, have contributed to nurturing and elevating this cherished
legacy. t hrough initiatives aimed at skill development, market access, and resource provision, a supportive
ecosystem has emerged, fostering the growth and visibility of india’s handloom sector both domestically
and internationally.
in the current edition of Yojana, we bring together insights from various subject experts and scholars,
shedding light on the multifaceted dimensions of india’s handloom industry. t hrough scholarly discourse
and informed analysis, we strive to unravel the fineprint of india’s weaving traditions and underscore their
enduring relevance in an ever-evolving world. As we navigate the diverse weave of india’s handloom
heritage, let us reaffirm our commitment to preserving and promoting this timeless legacy for generations
to come. We are certain that the intricate storytelling in the articles to follow will inspire you to know your
weaves and celebrate the rich legacy behind them. ?
7 May 2024
eavers, printers, and dyers
represent a unique mathematically
competent yet aesthetically tuned
resource group in the villages,
small towns, and big towns. Whereas the educated
designer would be calculating fabric structure
from the number of threads per centimetre, the
weaver would offer calculations from the other
end, translating hanks of yarn into fabric structures
by weight.
Beginning the journey through india in the
deep southwest, predominantly ‘white’, state of
Kerala. White was the predominant base colour
in all parts of india before the advent of chemical
dyes in the late 19
th
century. not only because of
the compulsion of a warm-to-hot climate but also
W
because the limited availability and expense of
natural dyes, white was also a traditional statement
of purity, austerity, and restraint. t he aesthetics of
white seem to cut across class and community in a
range of ways, from weighty, strong drapes for the
not-so-privileged to fine counts and even silks for
the well-to-do. A wedding sari was often just kora
(unbleached), unwashed, and sprinkled with haldi
(turmeric) to mark the auspicious occasion.
chemical dyes and cheaper substitutes for
zari (gold metallic yarn) inadvertently opened
the door to social change, which had not found
adequate expression till then. the extravagant
use of colour and shiny surface embellishments
we so commonly associate with india today is an
expression of 20
th
-century freedom enhanced
VIBRANT WORLD OF WEAVES
REGIONAL DIVERSITY IN INDIAN WEAVING
rta KaPur chishti the author is a textile scholar, co-author and editor of the book, ‘Saris- tradition & Beyond’. email: rtakapurchishti@gmail.com
8 May 2024
by post-independence exhilaration and freedom
from regional and community moorings.
Weavers in Kerala were reticent and shy to
speak of their ‘limited’ pattern elements, though
they warmed up as soon as they realised that
the elegance and restraint of their well-woven
predominantly white drapes were appreciated.
their well-woven ground was highlighted by
the limited colour of use in borders, which
were replaced with gold for special occasions,
culminating in a ribbed colour or gold end piece
that was elevated from the ground. these are
widely seen in the weaving of Mundu veshti and
Kasavu saris as well as dhotis in most parts of
Kerala, beginning with the finest in Balarampuram
in the south. there are simpler versions of these
being woven in Kasargod and Chendamangalam
further north. Handlooms and mills in Kerala are
also well known for a range of home linens, such
as towels and sheets in compact weaves, which are
well-known within india and beyond.
Moving northwards through Karnataka, goa,
and Maharashtra, which are intimately related
yet distinctly apart in their myriad plains, shots,
stripes, and checks, often combining cotton and
silk in numerous ingenious ways.
in Karnataka, cotton and silk centres of weaving
in places such as Molakalmuru with yarn resist and
patterned elements in warp and weft and Ilkal with
its three shuttle weaving and extra warp patterning
continue to thrive. Along with cotton in Udupi,
Kollegal, and Rukmapur for their well-known saris
and fabrics. Navalgund floor coverings, Guledgudd
for its Khana blouse fabrics in cotton and silk. it is
worth noting that many of the silks that cannot
be hand-reeled in other parts of india, including
Kashmir, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Andhra
Pradesh, are sold in Karnataka to be woven into
the weft of what is referred to as dupion silk, which
uses an uneven slubbed weft yarn with a fine silk
warp to make a fabric that has more texture than
the evenly spun silks.
goa was an unexpected revelation as the only
state with a legacy of weaving being banned by the
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