On August 7, 2024, the Department of Textile Science and Fashion Design at Dr. BMN College of Home Science enthusiastically observed National Handloom Day through a number of meaningful events. The occasion began with a motivational welcome speech delivered by Ms. Snehlata Belkar, a distinguished department graduate and the happy proprietor of Sneha’s Closet. Her presence created an atmosphere of respect and pride for India’s legacy of handlooms.
The department’s museum, which has an amazing collection of traditional textiles from Maharashtra and West Bengal, was given a guided tour for the visitors. These tours were given by students, who brought the histories of these fabrics to life and offered incisive commentary. India’s handloom traditions have a rich cultural past, which is reflected in the collection of the museum.
Another highlight of the day was a hands-on handloom demonstration, which gave guests the rare chance to witness the craft of weaving firsthand. They were able to make a profoundly meaningful connection with the history and tradition of the craft through this participatory event. Through participating in the complex weaving process, guests had a renewed appreciation for the artistry required to produce handwoven textiles.
More than 300 people attended the event, including instructors, parents, and students from nearby colleges. Their enthusiastic involvement made the occasion more enjoyable and promoted a wider understanding of the handloom customs, which are an important aspect of India’s cultural history.
The session “Unravelling India’s Handloom Heritage,” led by renowned textile designer, art historian, and museum curator Dr. Nayana Tadvalkar, and organized under the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) component introduced under the implementation of National Education Policy 2020 specifically for First-Year B.Sc. students, was one of the most educational highlights of the day. 87 youngsters who were very interested in learning about India’s handloom tradition attended the workshop. Students gained a thorough understanding of the subject from Dr. Tadvalkar’s insights on the Khadi loom, the Swadeshi Movement, and the use of Geographical Indications of Goods (GI) in preserving and promoting India’s handloom goods. In order to guarantee the handloom industry’s sustained relevance and prosperity
A reel-making competition and an inventive product creation competition brought a creative element to the festivities. Students displayed a wonderful range of talents in these activities that provided them with venues to express their originality and ingenuity. The competitions were judged by Ms. Snehlata Belkar, who provided her knowledge and astute observation to the table, guaranteeing that they were stimulating and competitive.
The success of the event was due to the second and third-year students’ perseverance and hard work, who worked really hard to make the celebration unforgettable with the help of their faculty members. With a feeling of satisfaction, the day came to an end, having honored the essence of India’s handloom heritage and motivated a new generation to continue this priceless cultural legacy.
Report by
- Dr Pradnya Ambre, HOD
- Ms Bijal Dedhia, Dept Faculty
- Ms Prachi Tendulkar, Dept Faculty
- College website: www.bmncollege.com
