Why Is The Handloom Sector Dying Out In India?

Of late, the Indian handloom industry has been experiencing a downward spiral. Samir Alam analyses why.

- Samir Alam

India is renowned the world over for its rich history of handlooms. From the regal elegance of courtly attire to the legacy of clothing entrenched in the spartan sacrifice of the country's freedom movement—the handloom industry holds a cherished place in Indian culture. However, despite its deep-rooted ties to tradition and the nation, the handloom sector is feared by many to be in a state of tragic decline. In this article, we explore the realities of this sector and determine the kind of future that lies ahead for what was once the highest form of apparel craftsmanship in the world.

THE DECLINE OF THE LOOM

In their heyday, the handloom and apparel industries were considered one and the same. Long before industrialisation swept the nation, manually operated handlooms were the pinnacle of manufacturing and were responsible for clothing everyone from the common citizen to regents of the land. However, ever since industrialisation, this handloom tradition, which started well before Independence, has changed radically. Before and even during the Independence era, the charkha or handloom wheel was looked at as a symbol of self-sustenance as it could be operated by a single individual to fulfil their own needs.