'Handloom has become our source of income': Himachal's Sharan village weavers celebrate revival of traditional craft
New Delhi, Aug 7
The handloom sector in Himachal Pradesh's Sharan village has witnessed a significant transformation since the village was declared a Handloom Village by the Union Ministry of Textiles in 2020, creating new livelihood opportunities for local artisans, particularly women, while helping preserve the region's traditional weaving heritage.
Located under the Rumsu Panchayat near Naggar in Kullu district, Sharan was selected for the recognition after a Ministry of Textiles survey found that nearly 95 per cent of its houses were built in the traditional Kath-Kuni architectural style and that a large number of residents were already engaged in handloom weaving, fulfilling the criteria for the designation.
Since then, local artisans have expanded their work beyond household use and are now producing a wide range of handwoven products, including traditional pattu shawls, stoles, caps, mufflers and other woollen items for the market, contributing to their household incomes.
On National Handloom Day, sharing how the initiative has changed their lives, a local artisan said, "Earlier, we used to make products such as pattus only for our own use. Since the handloom building was set up and we got this shop, we have started making shawls, stoles, pattus, and other products for sale. This has opened up a source of income for us. We are also making mufflers and a variety of crochet products. We observe what tourists like and try to make products according to their preferences."
Another artisan highlighted how the craft has been passed down through generations and how government support has helped expand employment.
"Handloom weaving has been a part of our family for generations. We usually start learning these skills when we are around 14 or 15 years old. After the government provided us with a shop under a self-help initiative, our business saw a significant boost. We also received training, and employment opportunities for women increased. Today, many women are earning through handloom weaving while carrying forward our traditional craft," the artisan said.
The initiative has not only strengthened the local economy but has also encouraged women to become financially independent while preserving one of Himachal Pradesh's oldest weaving traditions.
National Handloom Day is observed across India on August 7 every year to commemorate the launch of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905 and to recognise the invaluable contribution of the country's handloom weavers and artisans in preserving India's rich cultural and textile heritage.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great initiative but honestly, the challenge is marketing and fair prices. Weavers in remote villages still struggle with middlemen who take most of the profit. I hope the government also focuses on direct market access and e-commerce platforms for these artisans. Otherwise, the revival will only be superficial.
My grandmother used to weave pattus in Kullu and I remember how beautiful they were! 😍 It's so good to see this craft being preserved and commercialized. The tourists will definitely love these authentic products. This is exactly the kind of sustainable, local economy we need in our hill states. Kudos to all the weavers!
Beautiful story of cultural preservation meeting economic empowerment. The way this initiative combines heritage with livelihood is commendable. I hope similar models are replicated in other states too. India's handloom sector has so much potential that remains untapped.
This is what real development looks like – not just concrete jungles but empowering our villages! The way artisans are adapting to tourist preferences ("we observe what tourists like") shows their entrepreneurial spirit. But I hope the authentic weaving techniques are not compromised for mass appeal. Balance is key! 🧵
Good initiative but we need to ensure these are not just photo-ops for the ministry. The weavers should get proper health insurance, pension schemes and child education benefits too. Also, imported cheap synthetic shawls are flooding markets – need strict quality checks and GI tagging for authentic Kullu pattus.
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