Handloom and textiles have always been a source of pride in India. Learn the significance of the National Handloom Day and how to include it in your bridal attire.
National Handloom Day is celebrated on August 7 in India to honour the country’s rich heritage of handcrafted textiles. The rich heritage of handwoven fabric makes our fashion unique and stand out on the world stage. Till date, there are very few fabrics in the world that can compete with the sheer opulence of Indian handloom textiles. Let’s take a look at the significance of the day and why you should definitely include it in your bridal look.
Why Is National Handloom Day Celebrated?
The root of National Handloom Day in India can be found in the Swadeshi Movement, launched back in August 7, 1905. During the struggle for independence from British rulers, the movement was a response to the Government’s decision to partition Bengal. It focused on redeeming Indian culture and encouraging the usage of Indian arts and crafts by promoting local artisans and handcrafted products.
For today’s time, National Handloom Day was inaugurated on August 7, 2015, by PM Narendra Modi in order to honour the contributions of the weavers of India, to mark a way for their socio-economic development and to raise awareness about the significance of the craft that should be revived and celebrated.
Add Handloom to Your Wedding Wardrobe
There are endless options of beautiful handloom bridal wear for you to pick from. Kota doriya from Kaithoon, Patola from Patan, Kanjeevaram silks from Tamil Nadu, Chanderi from Madhya Pradesh, Muga Silk from Assam … and there are many more. These fabrics are not only culturally significant, they are also breathtakingly beautiful and extremely comfortable. And the variety of fabrics and designs give you the opportunity to experiment with your preference of style. Adding some handloom to your wedding wardrobe showcases your fine taste, your aesthetic sense and your awareness of the craft. Here are some of the handloom items you should definitely wear for your wedding celebration.
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Kanjeevaram Silk Saree
Originated from Tamil Nadu, these handwoven silk sarees are traditionally worn by Tamil brides on their wedding day. Tamil or not, you can slay these beautiful silk creations for your pre-wedding functions. One of the most expensive handloom sarees, the elaborate zari work with gold threads on it gives a traditional glam to your bridal look.
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Chanderi Anarkali
Chanderi originated in Madhya Pradesh, is one of the few fabrics mentioned in many Hindu mythology. Chanderi lehengas add a touch of softness to your bridal attire with a light texture and soft feel. Be it a sufi night, or an elegant mehendi, you can pick this subtle beauty and glow on the special day.
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Bandhani Lehenga
The famous Bandhani fabrics come originally from the local Khatri community of Gujarat. The tie and dye technique traditionally plays with colours like yellow, red, blue, black etc. Wearing a bandhani lehenga for your wedding celebrations adds a lot of colour to the event. You can also go with the light-coloured patterns and designs to keep it minimalistic.
Read Also: 7 Must-Have Ombre Bridal Lehengas for the Wedding Season
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Kalamkari Lehenga
Kalamkari is a hand-painting technique that originated in Andhra Pradesh. It is done by hand painting or block printing on cotton textiles. Kalamkari is very versatile with endless options of colours and paintings. Having a customised lehenga that is painted with your own story can be a unique touch to your wedding outfits.
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Banarasi Silk Saree
Certainly the most popular handloom saree for weddings, Banarasi silk originated from Banaras, Uttar Pradesh as the name suggests. These gorgeous sarees are adorned with kaga, bel and other leafy motifs. The intricate patterns made with zari or silver brocade make these sarees one of a kind. These stunning fabrics are perfect for a grand occasion like weddings and receptions.
Why Is Handloom Important?
This year, we commemorate the 10th National Handloom Day. The day has immense significance in upholding our unique handloom heritage and empowering the artisans. According to the Government of India, there are approximately 68.86 lakhs artisans working in the handloom sector in this country. National Handloom Day celebrates their skills and craftsmanship, aiming to promote their creations in both domestic and international markets. Empowering these artisans means empowering the economy. The day also has a huge cultural impact, providing the fact that it’s one day we talk about our diverse and rich handloom heritage on a larger platform. This celebration of hand-woven fabric and textiles promotes sustainable fashion, setting an example to follow globally.
Read Also: 6 Jaw-Dropping South Indian Saree Looks
Let’s take part in this beautiful mission and add some handloom outfits to your wedding looks. Celebrate handloom, celebrate India.
