India can be proud of having the highest number of expert handloom weavers. Besides, the country has an extremely rich tradition of handloom products.
The most tragic point is that the country has still not able to ensure a satisfactory livelihood for its handloom weavers. Majority of the weavers are living in optimum poverty, and many others are compelled to leave the occupation and make a switch over.
Furthermore, the Raw material base for the handloom industry has been significantly destroyed. The entire cotton cultivation is now dominated by American Cotton varieties; this variety is not suitable for handloom products. The problem has been worsened with genetically modified BT cotton.
The regime dictated by WTO of very low tariffs caused indiscriminate imports of mechanized imitations of handloom products. This has also reduced the presence of original handloom weavers in the market.
In this way, the vital areas of raw material supply and marketing are becoming volatile with the passage of time. The internal structure has also witnessed changes that pose threat to the existence of small-scale and independent weavers. These people also complain about the non-realization of the benefits of government schemes.
In order to make a proper recovery of the current situation, the entire stages of work need to be protected. Making arrangements for the growth of cotton suitable for handloom weaving is the foremost need. This will result in decentralized spinning of this cotton variety thereby causing a boom in production.
In the cases of silk sarees, linking up sericulture, ancillary works, and handloom weaving is the need of the time.
Of late, the process has started to reverse the situation. Nowadays, handlooms are no more restricted in the designing of ethnic wears. This age-old system is offered with a fresh perspective as various dress materials, maxi-gowns and jumpsuits have been prepared by using the handloom. It is energizing to find that many young designers are trying the integration of innovative ideas into the existing fashion. These people are getting support from the Government of India under Make in India campaign. Being assured of the fund, these craftsmen and weavers are able to put more attention to design efforts.
The designers and Top Handloom saree retailers in Kolkata are also of the opinion that there has been a remarkable growth in the interest of handloom or traditional weaves in the current years. They have also expressed the view that active involvement and contemplation of the Government has certainly sped up the growth of awareness. Indian textile and crafts in its ethnic form are utilized in the designing of conscious fashion. Fashion and designing schools have also taken initiatives in presenting the handlooms as an integral part of fashion senses in the upcoming days.
Handlooms have been carried through centuries with the intricate handmade designs that have attracted people from all over the world throughout centuries. Product made by using this technology is versatile enough to make almost any outfit. There are several designs made in the handlooms that cannot be imitated in Power-looms. With the soar of attention, it can be comfortably said that the future of handloom is really prospective.
