Reviving Khadi in India

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Reviving Khadi: From Freedom Fabric to Fashion Fabric Contd...

In January 2002, a high-profile textile exhibition, featuring Khadi ensembles designed by prominent Indian designers, was launched in New Delhi to popularise the traditional hand-spun cotton. The idea of the exhibition was to promote wholly hand spun, hand woven and hand patterned fabric, as a unique luxury product.

The exhibition displayed western as well as traditional Indian attire made from the finest Khadi available in the country. Besides, nearly 110 varieties of the fabric (from the sheerest to the coarsest) were showcased. Designer Rakesh Thakore, whose collection was showcased in the exhibition commented, "If packaged well, Khadi can be sold internationally."7 The exhibition was sponsored by a Swiss charitable trust, Volkart Foundation8 in association with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).9 With many designers experimenting with Khadi, the designs are no longer as simple as they used to be. A great deal of emphasis was given to the details of the designs and many new colours were introduced.

Eco-friendly vat dyes were used. In March 2002, Preyasi¹⁰, the official designer for KVIC, launched "The Khadi Range Collection-2002." In the collection, Khadi was used to create apparel such as, casual shirts, waist coats, skirts, wrap-arounds, trousers, parallels, and tops for women.

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7] ‘Glamour platform for Gandhian cotton,'news.bbc.co.uk , Wednesday, January 30, 2002.

8] Volkart Foundation, a Swiss charitable trust, is devoted to funding sustainable development. Marking its 150th
anniversary, in February 2001, the Volkart Foundation pledged US $ 1 million as a cultural and social grant. The Khadi
exhibition which formed a part of this, was meant for the revival of the old cotton business, Khadi as well as to highlight
the non-violence movement.

9] INTACH is an NGO that seeks to make strategic and timely intervention in order to conserve and promote India's
natural and cultural heritage. INTACH has a nation-wide network of volunteers, who spread awareness about heritage,
prevent acts likely to degrade their region's cultural and natural wealth and act positively to preserve and enhance
local heritage. INTACH is the nation's largest NGO working in the field of culture.

10] Preyasi is a certified designer by the Ministry of Handicrafts and Textiles - Govt. of India. It claims to be the world's
best Wardrobe Management Company. Since fifteen years, Preyasi has been involved in delivering designer-wear and
consultancy services to clients in over 48 countries. In 2001, it signed up with KVIC as their official designer to design
and promote Khadi garments in the national and international market.

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