National Handloom Day, observed on August 7, pays tribute to India's rich tradition of handwoven textiles and promotes the handloom industry. Established in 2015 to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement, this day highlights the significance of indigenous products and the pivotal role handwoven textiles played in India's struggle for independence. It serves as a reminder to celebrate the artistry of handwoven fabrics while supporting the livelihoods of numerous weavers and artisans.
The handloom sector is a major economic activity in India, second only to agriculture, providing direct and indirect employment to approximately 3.52 million handloom workers, with 2.55 million being women.
This sector contributes nearly 15% to the country's cloth production and has a substantial impact on export earnings, with India producing 95% of the world's handwoven fabric. Preserving Cultural Heritage through Handloom The handloom industry plays a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage by maintaining traditional processes and designs. The Toda tribe of the Nilgiris, known for their unique embroidery, produces Toda shawls exclusively made by women.
This tradition not only preserves the tribe's cultural identity but also ensures the survival of their distinctive craft. Similarly, the Ikat technique, popular in Telangana and Odisha, involves intricate resist dyeing to create timeless patterns. Gujarat's Tangaliya shawls, with their characteristic raised dot designs, exemplify the rich legacy .