The National Handloom Day is observed annually on 7th August to honour the handloom weavers in the country and also highlight India’s handloom industry.

Background

The Union Government had declared 7th of August as the National Handloom Day in July 2015 with the objective of generating awareness about the importance of the handloom industry to the socio economic development of the country. August 7 was chosen as the National Handloom Day to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement which was launched on this day in 1905 in Calcutta Town Hall to protest against the partition of Bengal by the British Government. The movement had aimed at reviving domestic products and production processes.

Handloom sector is a symbol of the country’s glorious cultural heritage and an important source of livelihood in the country. The sector is key to women empowerment as over 70% of handloom weavers and allied workers are women.

The first National Handloom Day was held on 7th August 2015. On this day, the handloom weaving community is honoured and the contribution of this sector in the socio-economic development of this country is highlighted. The resolve to protect our handloom heritage and to empower the handloom weavers and workers with greater opportunities is reaffirmed.The Government endeavours to ensure sustainable development of the handloom sector thereby empowering our handloom weavers and workers financially and instilling pride in their exquisite craftsmanship.

National Handloom Day 2024

The 10th National Handloom Day is being celebrated on August 7, 2023 across the country under the coordination of the Ministry of Textiles.

The prime objective of holding the National Handloom Day is to highlight the contribution of handloom to the socioeconomic development of the country and increase income of the weavers.

National Handloom Day is being observed at 28 Weavers’ Service Centres in different States and 16 National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Campuses. This year, the 9th National Handloom Day is being celebrated. A e-portal Bhartiya Vastra evam Shilpa Kosh - a Repository of Textiles & Crafts that has been developed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has been launched.

“VIRAASAT”, a fortnight long exhibition dedicated to celebrating 10th National Handloom Day is being organised at Handloom Haat in Janpath since 3rd August, 2024. National Handloom Development Corporation Ltd (NHDC) is organising the handloom expo under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India which will conclude on 16th August, 2024. The exhibition will be open to the public from 11 am to 8 pm. Handloom products drawn from some of the exotic locations of India were on display and sale at the exhibition.

National Handloom awards

Handloom Awards are conferred upon Handloom Weavers, Designers, Handloom organizations and Marketing Agencies for showing excellence in the handloom sector on the National Handloom day.

Objectives

Recognize extraordinary skills and contribution of handloom weavers, designers, organizations and Marketing Agencies towards promotion, development and preservation of weaving tradition and welfare of the weaving community.
Recognize talent and workmanship of young weavers, be role models and inspire others to emulate them.
Reward individuals/ organizations to adopt innovative measures for marketing of handloom products and recognize their achievements.

About the award

In total 25 awards are conferred.

Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards meant exclusively for the women handloom weavers are named as Sant Kabir Handloom Award/National Handloom award (Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Award). The award consists of a cash prize of Rs.3.50 lakh, one mounted gold coin, one Tamrapatra, one shawl and a certificate.

All other categories of National Handloom Award consists of a cash prize of Rs. 2.00 lakh, one Tamrapatra, one shawl and a certificate.

To view the list of awardees, click here.

Source : Ministry of Textiles

Schemes related to Handlooms

Compendium of Handloom Schemes
Handloom Clusters
Yarn Supply Scheme/Mill Gate Price Scheme
India Handloom Brand
National Handloom Development Programme