Updated September 23, 2022
National Handloom Day is celebrated on August 7 in India. This day is celebrated annually to honour the handloom-weaving community and bring awareness among the public about the Handloom Industry and its contribution to the nation’s socio-economic development.
A loom that weaves fabric manually rather than a motor or electricity is called a “handloom.” Weavers use a manually operated tool to weave fabric by tying the warp and weft threads together through tension on the warp threads.
What is National Handloom Day?
Every year, National Handloom Day is celebrated on August 7 across India. This day is observed annually to create awareness among the public about the Handloom Industry and its contribution to the socio-economic development of the nation. Even more important, honouring the handloom-weaving community is the primary objective of this day.
The 7th of August has been chosen as the National Handloom Day to mark one of the powerful movements- the Swadeshi Movement, which began on August 7, 1905, in Calcutta Town Hall, as a demonstration against the governments of British decision to partition Bengal. The movement had the aim of boycotting foreign goods and encouraging people to wear khadi clothes.
History & Significance of National Handloom Day
To commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Swadeshi Movement that launched on August 7, 1905, in Calcutta Town Hall. In 2015 the Union Government decided to designate the 7th of August as National Handloom Day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the first Handloom Day on 7 August 2015 in Chennai.
Narendra Modi- Prime Minister of India, observed the first National Handloom Day to honour weavers and to promote handmade and handwoven. And the textile minister said that the government is taking steps to protect our handloom heritage, empower weavers, and financially support the handloom-weaving community.
Apart from the developed sector, the handloom industry is one of the major symbols that highlight the cultural heritage of India. This industry also holds great cultural importance in Indian history. The handloom industry has been a significant source of earning and employment around India, especially for village women.
Therefore, National Handloom Day is established by the governor of India to make people aware of the rich history of Indian handloom and honour the handloom community and their work and acknowledge their contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.
The Theme of National Handloom Day 2022:
Every year, National handloom day is celebrated with a specific theme, and the Theme for National Handloom Day 2021 was – “Hand Loom – An Indian Legacy.” But the theme for Handloom Day 2022 is yet to be announced.
How to Celebrate National Handloom Day?
There is no set rule on how to celebrate National Handloom Day, but you can celebrate by visiting the handloom exhibition near you and wearing khadi clothes on this day. You celebrate by watching movies related to the Indian freedom struggle, reading Mahatma Gandhi’s books,, and watching documentaries on Indian history.
National Handloom Day Quotes:
(I) “Life is a loom, weaving illusion. ― Vachel Lindsay
(II) “A good life is like weaving. Energy is created in the tension. The struggle, the pull and the tug are everything.” ― Joan Erikson
(III) “In the tapestry of life, we’re all connected. Each one of us is a gift to those around us helping each other be who we are, weaving a perfect picture together.” ― Anita Moorjani
(IV) “I do regard spinning and weaving as a necessary part of any national system of education.” ― Mahatma Gandhi
(V) “We sleep, but the loom of life never stops, and the pattern which was weaving when the sun went down is weaving when it comes up in the morning.” ― Henry Ward Beecher
(VI) “You see when weaving a blanket, an Indian woman leaves a flaw in the weaving of that blanket to let the soul out.” ― Martha Graham
(VII) “We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving, and we all have the power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing.” ― Louisa May Alcott
(VIII) “Our weavings in the cosmic web are not self-contained. Rather, they are part of the design of our collective humanity.” ― Lisa Hunt
(IX) “Sometimes, when I wake up at night, I feel invisible hands weaving my destiny.” ― Fernando Pessoa
(X) “My dream is to be a doctor. I’m almost working in a laboratory because I’m trying new techniques, new directions and fabrics, new weaving.” ― Alber Elbaz
(XI) “I’m pretty good on my feet. I’m pretty decent at bobbing and weaving, but there’s only so long you can bob and weave when you don’t have a good base.” ― Unknown
(XII) “I have no qualms in going for hair weaving or transplant.” ― Aditya Roy Kapoor
(XIII) “You see when weaving a blanket, an Indian woman leaves a flaw in the weaving of that blanket to let the soul out.” ― Martha Graham
(XIV) “A good life is like weaving. Energy is created in the tension. The struggle, the pull and tug are everything.” ― Joan Erikson
(XV) “Our weavings in the cosmic web are not self-contained. Rather, they are part of the design of our collective humanity.”
Frequently Asked Questions on National Handloom Day
Ans: The 7th of August has been chosen as the National Handloom Day to mark one of the powerful movements- the Swadeshi Movement.
Ans: In 2015 the Union Government decided to designate the 7th of August every year, as National Handloom Day.
Ans: “Hand Loom – An Indian Legacy” Was the theme of handloom Day 2021.
Ans: You can celebrate handloom day by visiting the handloom exhibition near you and by wearing khadi clothes on this day.