Nurturing the Dying Art of Handloom Saree Weaving

With diverse textile traditions, various regions of India are renowned for their distinctive weaving styles and techniques. Bengal Handloom saree is one of the most traditional weaving styles of India.  From Banarsi Silk to Kanchipuram Silk, India showcases its cultural richness and artisanal mastery through incredibly intricate handloom sarees.

Over time, handloom weaving has come perilously close to extinction. With the rise of machine-made garments in the market, handloom weavers are pushed into the shadows. With this blog, I want to nurture the dying art of handloom Bengal Saree weaving.

Read this blog, and get a comprehensive understanding of nurturing and preserving the art of handloom saree weaving.

Insights into the Legacy of Handloom Saree

Handloom sarees can be best described as heirlooms as they have been passed down through generations. In India, there are different and unique handloom weaving styles. These weaving styles are based on the Indian states or regions, natural dyes, and distinct weaving techniques and patterns.

Creating a single handloom saree requires considerable effort. Crafting a handloom saree can take anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the complexity and intricacy of the design. The process of creating a handloom-woven saree requires patience, exceptional skill, and extensive practice. So, the weavers of handloom saree are the masters in weaving, and they pass down their talent to the next generations orally or through training the newbies.

Why Are the Handloom Masters Facing a Crisis?

However, Bengal handloom saree weavers have great cultural significance. Despite that, the weavers face immense challenges. Let’s explore the challenges faced by the experienced weavers.

A Setback Due to Government Support and Access to the Market

There are various government schemes designed to support handloom weavers; however, bureaucratic obstacles have consistently hindered their implementation. The weavers have limited market access, which prevents them from competing effectively with aggressive marketing and falling behind current trends.

Financial Insecurity

However, the handloom weavers perform such an intricate regime, but their wages never adequately compensate for their hard work. The time and investment of the handloom workers go to waste when there is a delay in selling their work to consumers. Financial insecurity prompts workers to take on loans, often leading them into debt traps.

Lack of Demand

Nowadays, new generations are shifting towards machine-made garments. Hence, there is a lack of demand for handloom sarees in the market. The young generation is disconnecting from traditional wear, and this is becoming a challenge for weavers.

Age Factor of the Weaving Workers

Traditional Handloom weavers are growing older, and the younger generation is no longer taking an interest in the craft of weaving. Earlier, families of the weavers would continue weaving, and the process would continue. But, with the growing times, youngsters are shifting to other lucrative jobs, leaving behind their heritage.

Problems in Supply Chain

In the current era, raw materials have become increasingly expensive. Due to a lack of wages, artisans are facing challenges in buying raw materials. There are disruptions in the supply chain that have a significant impact on the weaving workers.

Why Nurturing the Handloom Industry is Essential?

Nurturing the textile industry is crucial to preserving our cultural heritage. Additionally, there are other reasons why handloom weaving plays an essential role. Let’s explore.

Sustainability

With the emergence of fast fashion, sustainability is often overlooked and is proving harmful to the planet. The preservation of the handloom industry is essential for experiencing sustainability. Handloom-woven sarees are crafted from natural fibers and dyes. Hence, the carbon footprints are limited using handloom weaving.

Cultural Significance

Bengali handloom sarees have a rich cultural significance. Women used to wear these sarees in rituals, festivals, and ceremonies. Handloom-woven sarees are meant to continue a lineage, not merely for aesthetic appeal. So, we should nurture the handloom industry to preserve our cultural heritage.

Rural Development

Preserving the handloom industry would be the best contribution to weavers in rural India. According to the 4th Handloom Census, out of a total of 31,44,839 weaver households, 87% are located in rural areas(Source). Therefore, preserving the handloom industry is crucial for employing rural handloom weavers.

How to Nurture the Tradition of Handlooms?

Nurturing the handloom industry is crucial in reviving our traditions. A multilingual approach should be adopted to restore the handloom industry. So, how to do it? Let’s review the points below to understand how to nurture the handloom industry.

Artisan’s Empowerment is Important

The artisan of handloom weaving is the master, and should be treated well. Proper wages, training, exposure, and access to the market should be provided to the handloom artisans. The support from the Government and non-profit organizations should increase to help weavers get more control over pricing and production.

Collaborations with Designers

A blend of tradition and modernity can help preserve the handloom industry effectively. A collaboration with modern designers can help weavers co-create their collections and continue the process of handloom weaving. This will help increase the value of the handloom weavers and bring a modern trend to the market.

Consumer Awareness

With the emergence of the modern era, people are forgetting the beauty of handloom sarees. Consumers should be made aware of handloom weaving through targeted campaigns. The campaigns should focus on the power of handloom weaving, the hard work of the artisans, and sustainability. Educating the new generation about the importance of our heritage will help preserve the handloom industry more easily.

Digital Visibility

In today’s digital age, where people remain highly active on online platforms, creating visibility for handloom crafts has become relatively easy. With the help of e-commerce, weavers can now sell their products worldwide. Social media platforms act as a bridge between handloom weavers and consumers. Therefore, online platforms should be utilized effectively to promote artisans and preserve our heritage.

Start Reviving the Handloom Now by Personal Commitment

A personal commitment is the best way to start preserving the handloom industry. Choose to wear a Bengali handloom saree and initiate the revolution. If we start connecting with companies that supply handloom sarees, buy them at an individual level, and post pictures on social media, it would serve as a generous contribution to preserving our legacy.

Attending handloom fairs, following the companies that supply handloom sarees, and purchasing more handloom products will empower the artisans and nurture our heritage.

The Conclusion

Building a strong network and focusing on purchasing handloom sarees will help preserve the handloom industry. With the nurturing of handloom weaving, our hardworking artisans will gain good wages and be able to come forward with confidence. So, what are you waiting for? The journey starts from within. Start shifting toward handloom-woven sarees, and become a savior to our tradition.