IMPORTANCE OF HANDLOOM IN INDIA

Report submitted towards the partial fulfillment of the degree of Masters of Fashion Management

SPECIAL PRODUCT GROUP

Submitted by:

Ajay Morwal (MFM/16/997)

Aditi Das (MFM/16/925)

Riti Dash (MFM/16/245)

Sagar Kumar Dash( MFM/16/855)

Ujjwala Bhatt (MFM/16/333)

Under the guidance

M.r. S.S BANERJEE (Assistant Professor)

Submitted to:

Department of Fashion Management Studies

National Institute of Fashion Technology

(Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India)

NIFT Campus, IDCO Plot No-24,

Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751024.

www.nift.ac.in
THE IMPORTANCE OF HANDLOOM IN INDIA

INTRODUCTION:

The Textile industry occupies a unique place in our country. One of the earliest to come into
existence in India, it accounts for 14% of the total Industrial production, contributes to nearly
30% of the total exports and is the second largest employment generator after agriculture.

Today, India's textile sector comprises four important segments:

Modern textile mills

Independent Power looms

Handlooms and

Garments

Textiles are an important element in everyday life and fulfil this need with handlooms since a
history. Handloom cloth is cloth woven by hand, or cloth woven on manually operated
looms. One of the largest family-based traditional industries in India is handloom. In India,
handloom sectors are scattered and decentralized.

The handloom industries are environmentally friendly, energy saving form of artistry among
the textile sector with the outcome of sustainable textile products. Indian handloom products
are as different and varied as our cultures and languages. There may be many similarities in
different styles, but then each handloom products are distinct from the other. Each type
represents a particular people or group of people in one place at a point in time. Each unique
combination of weaves, motifs, patterns and colors conveys the historical experiences of the
people who make and use it. Handloom is done in all most all parts of India, the work
produced in each area are different from each other.

Handloom sector plays an important role in the Indian economy in the field of employment
generation and the economic development of India. People can start these units to increase
their income levels and quality of life. So these can help in reducing poverty in the country.
Generally large scale industries lead to an uneven distribution of income and wealth, which
gives rise to concentration of economic power in few hands. On the other hand, the income
generated by large number of handloom industrial units is dispersed more widely to a large
population.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE:

Literature on Handloom Industries is huge and on varied aspects. A few selected writing
related to the topic are reviewed here-

1. Management in Handloom Industry- A study of the Production and Marketing of

Handloom for Exports was carried out by RajmaniSingha. He studied on the production of
handlooms in the country and affected problems, productivity of handloom industry major
constraints facing the domestic marketing and to examine the trends in the exports of
handloom products. The author undertook a case study of the handloom industry in Manipur
state. Out of 117 weavers co-operative societies, 100 societies were selected for this study.
Finally constructive suggestions to improve the conditions of handloom industry in the state
were recommended

2. Sahai Biswambhar reported (1956) that the problems of handlooms are owing to the
competition from power looms and mills. He felt that there is need to employ trendy
techniques of production and design, government ought to establish training centers for the
benefit of weavers where they are concentrated and materials like, design books and related
instruments need to be created there.

3. Chakaraborthy S.M. (1982) remarked that the handloom quality of products was declined,
owing to the high rates of raw materials. The weavers were using cheap quality dyeing
colours. As a result of this the consumers prefer mill made cloth so as weavers community
lost their livelihood. To overcome this situation, government ought to offer raw materials at
subsidized rates, with quality and in right time.

4. Singh Rajmani (1992) in his Ph.D thesis Management in Handloom industry- A study of
the production and marketing of handlooms for Exports studied the production of
handlooms in the country and identified the problems affecting its production along with the
industrys ability to meet prospective demand both local and foreign. He concluded that the
design of the products have not been changing according to taste, choice and preferences of
the customer. The result being that demand for Manipuri Handloom has not been picking up.

5. Srinivasulu .K (1994) made an attempt to study the Handloom weavers struggle-for

survival in Chirala village in A.P. He has point out that the handloom sector has been
seriously threatened by the severe competition from the power looms, the survival of the
handloom sector and handloom weavers has been imperiled by sharply rising prices of yarn,
dyes and chemicals

6. Shailaja, Naik and Padhya (1996) have found in their study that the odds against handloom
weaving in northern Karnataka are many. Lack of adequate raw materials, middlemen,
inadequate marketing facilities and lack of training and financial assistance are among them.
This calls for imaginative remedial measures. This sector of the Indian handloom industry
can flourish if a suitable technology is made available to the weavers in the state. It would
generate a positive response from them. The exquisite workmanship of the Andhra Weavers
will get its due recognition only with the revival of this sector by putting it on a sound
footing. The State Government has to play a crucial role in this task.

7. D. Narasimha Reddy (2008) is of the opinion that, it is time that, government recognized
the value of the handloom sector in achieving sustainable development of the country.
Despite the adverse conditions, due to larger support from consumers and being a livelihood
option for millions of weavers, Handloom sector has been surviving and has the potential to
be so. Government has to ensure a level playing field for this sector towards competition
among the different sub-sector of textile industry.

8. Dr. Usha N. patil (2012) has studied that Indian economy is blessed with the Handloom
sector. It is a major source of direct employment to 65 lakh engaged in weaving and allied
activities. It is historical business in India which gives fabrics for use and made up techniques
help to designer art pieces are the integral part of India. It shares 14% of the total pre
industrial production and 30% of the total export business. It is the largest industry along with
other industry like power looms modern textile mills, handlooms and garments in India.
Hence handloom is widely known in foreign countries also.

9. Boruah Rickey Rani and KaurSatvinder (2015) in their topic A study on the analysis of
economic of weavers cooperative societies in Assam analyzed the business operation of
selected handloom weaving units in Assam and concluded that this sector is beset with
manifold problems such as obsolete technologies, unorganized production system, low
productivity, inadequate working capital, conventional product range, weak marketing link,
overall stagnation of production and sales and, above all, competition from power loom and
mill sector.
10. Gupte (2010) in his article titled, A Study of the competitiveness of the handloom
PaithaniSaree Business concluded that, in the current scene of the aggressive marketing and
high competition the textile entrepreneurs ought to adopt some trendy practices to keep the
art, technique and pride alive. The handloom silk textile sector has its own peculiar features
and determinants of competitiveness. Once they are identified, the entrepreneurs can attempt
for its development along with global challenges. The study of effects of Westernization,
Liberalization, Globalization and ever-changing world of fashion can be studied before the
business adopts new strategies to compete the global challenges. For that the business of
Paithani needs more attention and research from traditional and modern studies.

INDIAN HANDLOON INDUSTRY:

Source:vijaymahajan.files.wordpress.com

The Handloom sector occupies a distinct and unique place in the Indian economy, besides
being the largest generator of non-farm rural employment. The handloom industry is largely
household based, carried out with labour contributed by the entire family. It is dispersed,
spread across thousands of villages and towns in the country. Along with the artistry of
weavers, the Indian handloom industry demonstrates the richness and diversity of Indian
culture. The sector, which employs about 4.3 million people, is the second largest
employment provider for the rural population in India after agriculture. The sector accounts
for 14.9% of the total cloth produced in the country (excluding wool, silk, hosiery and khadi)
and have the largest infrastructure with 2.3 million weaving looms. The total handloom cloth
production in India reached 6.7 billion sq. m in 2015- 16, registering a growth rate of 2.3%.
Handloom industry in India is best known for its distinctiveness, style, traditionalism and
modern technology. Each and every state in India has the capability of boasting innovative
printing, weaving, embroidery and designing trends. Handloom in India is not only a
significant source of living but also repository of rich culture heritage and traditional
knowledge, inherited over generation by family of weavers. The importance of can easily be
ascertained from the fact that, it provides employment opportunity, next only to agriculture.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HANDLOOMS:

The handloom industry is the most ancient cottage industry of India. Its prevention for
posterity will ensure a preservation of our cultural heritage. Hence, undertaking Research &
Development in this sector was very essential. Under the Research & Development programs,
assistance was released to different weavers society centers, National Handloom
Development Corporation, institutions engaged in Research and Development work for the
development of Handloom sector.

The importance of the handloom sector in the national economy cannot be over-looked. On
account of having an advantage & flexibility of also being capable to be run as a small scale
industry, its uniqueness, innovation and adaptability, this sector can contribute towards export
earning of the country, in a big way. Export of handloom has, therefore, been identified as the
thrust area for the overall development of the sector. The government has been exploring the
possibilities of making an optimal use of the resources to enhance production capabilities of
exportable products.

Indian fashion is known for its rich and diverse heritage as each province has its own
traditional apparel. Indian fashion designers tweak these various trends in the most innovative
ways and give them an indo-western touch.

The handloom textiles constitute a timeless part of the rich cultural Heritage of India. The
element of art and craft present in the Indian handlooms makes it a potential sector for the
upper segments of market domestic as well as global.

However, the sector is beset with manifold problems such as obsolete technologies,
unorganized production system, low productivity, inadequate working capital, conventional
product range, weak marketing link, overall stagnation of production and sales and, above all,
competition from power loom and mill sector.
CONCLUSION:

The Handloom Textiles constitute a timeless part of the rich cultural Heritage of India. The
element of art and craft present in Indian handlooms makes it a potential sector for the upper
segments of market domestic as well as global. However, the sector is beset with manifold
problems such as obsolete technologies, unorganized production system, low productivity,
inadequate working capital, conventional product range, weak marketing link, overall
stagnation of production and sales and, above all, competition from power loom and mill
sector. As a result of effective Government intervention through financial assistance and
implementation of various developmental and welfare schemes, the handloom sector, to some
extent, has been able to tide over these disadvantages. Thus, Handloom forms a precious part
of the generational legacy and exemplifies the richness and diversity of our country and the
artistry of the weavers.
REFERENCE:

JEEVANANDA. (2015). EFFECTIVENESS OF MARKET DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE SCHEME IN

HANDLOOM SECTORS IN INDIA. International Journal of Management & Development , Vol.2 Issue
8,p37-50.14.EBSCO

Payal, C. (2016, Jan 15). THE IMPORTANCE OF HANDLOOM IN INDIA. Retrieved from Indian
Artloon.com.

Sagar malviya, W. M. (2017, January 6). economictimes.indiatimes. Retrieved October 12, 2017, from
www.economictimes.indiatimes.com: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/policy-
trends/ws-retail

Singh, K. (2016, August 13). Handloom Fabrics Our Heritage. Retrieved November 18, 2017, from
theviewspaper.net/: http://theviewspaper.net/handloom-fabrics-our-heritage/

Sudalaimuthu, D. S. (2017, Jan 7). Handloom industry in india . Retrieved Nov 22, 2017, from
/www.fibre2fashion.com/: http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/2269/handloom-
industry-in-india?page=1