Week-long celebs at Handloom Haat to mark International Women’s Day

Team L&M

As part of the International Women’s Day celebration, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India is organising a week-long celebratory programme at Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi. Besides being one of the key sectors providing employment to a large number of people, especially women, Handloom and handicraft sectors are a symbol of our country’s rich and varied cultural heritage, handloom and handicraft sectors are a symbol of our country’s rich and varied cultural heritage.

Considering this is the 75^th year of India’s independence, 75 Stalls will be put up by women handloom weavers, craft persons, entrepreneurs, and designers. Many of these are master craft persons and national awardees and Women-founded/led organisations.

Circularity in textiles aims to shift from the take-make-dispose linear value chain into a circular system where value is retained for a longer period. Circularity in fashion underlines a major gender narrative. To honour and motivate change makers across the value chain, special focus is laid on circular strategies, processes and end products that go beyond the traditional linear model and focus on extending the life of the product. Invitees are women-founded/led organisations who are focused on reducing waste in the value stream by employing different circular strategies like recycle, repair, reuse/remanufacture, rental and resale. With these strategies in place, these women are spear-heading the movement to reduce the load on the landfills and derive value out of waste.

Similarly, sustainability is one of the important aspect in the current context especially as per SDG obligations/commitments. Handloom and Handicraft per se qualify as the most sustainable sectors traditionally on all fronts like self-employment to women, natural local raw material, natural dyes, recycled material etc. creating harmony between all the elements in the ecosystem.

Visitors to the Handloom Haat would be able to buy genuine handloom and handicraft articles directly from the weavers and craft persons – the government has issued specific Pehchan Identity cards to individuals of Handicraft and Handloom sector practising the particular craft

Famous weaves and handcrafted saris/fabric, including Chanderi (Maheshwari), Paithani, Kanchipuram Saris, LucknowiChikankari, Kota Doria. Chikankari, Bagru/Sanganer Block Print, Tie & Dye will be sold at the Handloom Haat.

Besides, there will be sale of handcrafted items, including Jewellery, Kalmkari, Kolhapuri Chappals, , Handbags, Clutches, Fashion accessories, Lac Bangles, Cane & Bamboo items, Terracotta, Zari &Zardozi, Embroidery & Crochet, including Phulkari and Jute articles.

The Handloom Haat will have a live demonstration and activity corner where handloom weaving, Lac Bangle making, Potter’s wheel will be presented.

Cultural Programmes/Live performances by women folk, tribal dancers and musicians. Traditional puppetry (Kathputli) will be another attraction of the Handloom Haat.