Colder winter spurs demand for Kullu shawls

The demand for Kullu shawls has been relatively more this winter than last year due to minimum temperature dipping below the normal levels in Manali, a tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh of India.

Kullu shawls are famous for their traditional patterns and quality. Tourists visiting Manali prefer to buy shawls from more than 150 outlets in the Kullu district due to their reasonable pricing.

Speaking to fibre2fashion, Mr. BS Thakur, MD of Bhuttico Weavers’ Cooperative Society Ltd., informed, “Our sales have been 10 percent more than last year. Increase in sales is because of colder winter this year.”

Briefing about the shawl handloom industry in Kullu region, Mr. Sanjay Sharma, General Manager, Department of Industries, Government of Himachal Pradesh, says, “There are about 25,000 handloom units in the region, 20,000 of which cater to the domestic sector while around 5,000 of them are export-oriented.”

“The shawl making of this region is registered in the GI Act 1999. These shawls are in high demand because of their making pattern and the diversity in colours and mixes. These are manufactured using Pashmina, yak wool, and local wool,” he adds.


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Innovative Printing on Handloom Cotton Fabric

Handloom forms a precious part of the generational legacy and exemplifies the richness and diversity of our culture and artistry of the weavers. Tradition of weaving by hand is a part of the countrys cultural ethos. It represents an ancient craft with rich heritage providing a great source of sustenance for millions of artisans. It is estimated that handloom industry provides employment to approximately 65 lakhs workforces directly or indirectly and about 35 lakhs of handlooms in numerous varieties are scattered all over the country. The element of art and craft present in Indian handlooms makes it a potential sector for the upper segments of domestic and global markets. Handloom sector has been catering fully to the domestic niche and cheap markets, as well as value-added exports in the international markets and are still playing a vital role owing to its indispensable performance for the special quality of products mainly either of silk or of cotton fibres with adequate aristocracy. Handloom is unparalleled in its flexibility and versatility, permitting experimentation and encouraging innovation. However, in the present context of globalization and rapid technological developments, handloom sector is beset with many challenges and the handloom products are being replicated on powerlooms at much lower price. There is a need to strengthen this sector given the employment potential and market demand for handloom products. Hence product diversification through innovative printing is very much essential for the survival of this rich cultural heritage of India. Innovative and novel designs can be produced on handloom cotton fabric by adopting different innovative printing methods without involving costly infrastructure to create fancy effect on the handloom products for the ever changing fashion market.

Introduction

Handloom textiles constitute a timeless facet of the rich cultural heritage of India. Handloom sectors have been acknowledged by everyone as the biggest source of employment and is a traditional profession being practiced in India for centuries together. This sector occupies a place second only to agriculture in providing livelihood to the people. It is estimated that handloom industry provides employment to 65 lakh workforces directly or indirectly and there are about 35 lakh handlooms spread all over India. The production of handloom fabrics is estimated to be approximately 6536 million square meters during 2006-07 (Annual Report 2007-08, Ministry of Textile) and contributes 16% of total textile production in India. The element of art and craft present in Indian handlooms makes it a potential sector for the domestic niche and cheap markets, as well as value-added exports in the international markets. It is expected that with increasing population and prosperity, the domestic and international market size will expand and per capita consumption will increase. The sector has an edge over the powerloom and mill sectors in its ability to commercially produce the goods in small volumes, openness to innovations, switch over to new designs, adoptability to suit suppliers requirement and creation of exquisite design. However, in the present context of globalization, the sector is beset with manifold problems and challenges. With the technological developments, the handloom products are being increasingly replicated on powerlooms at much lower cost. Hence product diversification through weaving and innovative printing is very much essential for the survival of handloom sector. Weaving on handlooms is predominantly cotton; the future yarn consumption pattern is expected to be equality shared between cotton and other fibres.

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Trade Fairs: Opportunity for Handlooms and Handicraft Fraternity

Designed with the intent to provide a platform to the juvenile arts of cottage as well as large scale industries, Trade fairs are organized to meet the prospective customers in person in a concise period of time economically. With inventive marketing and booth allotment, small businesses can actually appear as significantly as any big organization. As per the estimates, 44% of the firms that exhibit at business-to-business shows have less than 50 employees. The entrepreneurs are accompanied by Master craftsperson, Assistant Crafts persons, Jobbers, Draftspersons and Artists.

Urbane exhibitors do well at trade shows no matter what their unit size is, while the inexperienced and raw industries can waste thousands of dollars and innumerable hours possibly gaining nothing at all. Financial Utilization of these fairs effectively involves only a slight effort and viable planning. Trade fairs have now grown popular and is considered the Hot spot for buyers looking out for some contemporary buying styles.

In an elite discussion of Fibre2fashion with Mr. Malieq Shaabaz ( Director of Shaabaz Group, Singapore and Representative of Zak Trade Fairs and Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd.) in Singapore quotes, " Personally, I feel trade fairs are a boon for handlooms and handicrafts because they have so much to display and exhibit and buyers can get huge variety at a single location." He has no question of doubt to say that, "Those who are interested are satisfied and there is no effect of market forces on the buying will and power of an individual." He also adds, "Its all about the mindset of the buyer because we cannot ignore one of the bare facts of economy that the downtrend of industry always results in uptrend of another."

Keeping track of the enduring and forthcoming trade shows, exhibitions, events, expositions, seminars, conferences and workshops in the handicraft industry may provide trade leads. Engrossed companies may keep detailed information on the upcoming Trade Fairs, handicraft trade shows, art and craft exhibitions, craft trade expositions and events and all sorts on industry convention and events, on a regular basis.

Read more about Opportunity for Handlooms and Handicraft Fraternity at Fibre2fashion

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Long Lasting Reverberation of Recession: Impact on Indian Handloom Industry

Indian Textile Industry is the principal employer among all the industries of the country, yet it has a very small share in the global market. But handloom sector, the primary branch of textiles, is considered as the major for its established capacity. This is because India is the only country which produces handloom on a marketable scale. Economic meltdown has impacted on Indian Textile Industries as a result of which many export orders are getting cancelled and labourers depending on this Industry are almost on the brink of loosing their source of revenue. Over 90 percent units in the textile and clothing are in the SME sector, which is also the most labour intensive sector in our industry as a whole.

The entire textile value chain is currently enduring a severe crisis. With such a situation continuing a bit longer, lakhs of workers who earn their livelihood through this industry will be pushed into the category of Below Poverty Line (BPL) and its high time that the impact of recession on labour and livelihoods in Handloom sector should be taken care of and necessary strategies and policies should be implemented to prevent further damage.
Current Scenario

It appears that the global meltdown being witnessed prominently in the financial markets is all set to ruin the Handloom industry, which is currently facing a tough time. On one hand the prepared saris are not getting sold off in abundance like before, on the other hand the export orders appears to face a downward trend in near future. The Silk industry, which was facing a tough time due to other factors, is likely to face a major nudge in the coming days resulting into literal starvation of many people. Be it handlooms or power looms both methods of preparing handloom garments are threatened by crisis following the present situation in which the people related to this industry are failing to get work even for a month or two. They hardly get to work for just 15 days, which affects the daily wages of a lot of people. Exporters are also facing a tough time due to the declining demand for the handloom products. The classic Banarasi sarees of India are purchased by the rich strata people of India and across the globe and later by the victims of crisis. Till few years back the silk Banarasi sarees were extremely adored handloom products in the world. The Banarasi fabric is an indispensable material, traditionally used for marriage and party purposes.......

Read More About Impact On Indian Handloom Industry due to Recession at Fibre2fashion

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