I'm gonna make a bold statement here: Handlooms are the soul of India. That's a quite a statement to make, but look at the facts: the industry is intertwined into India's rich (understatement) identity and history; Mahatma Ghandi's "khadi movement" in protest of British rule; for goodness' sake, the loom is on India's flag; and, don't forget the national dress of India's women: the ubiquitous saree-we're talking about more than 4,000 years of history, folks.
That's pretty amazing, and saying a lot because Africa, for example, really doesn't produce it's own cloth (manufactured in other countries for the most part). Yes, there is Kente and Mud cloths, but for those bright, and wild prints thank another country.
Yet, I digress. Of course, I can go on and on about handlooms but there is so much information out there about the handloom industry. But, it is said it's a "dying" art. Sure, handlooms are still being used (thank goodness for initiatives by co-ops, guilds, the government and designers), but powerlooms are crowding them out. This is art that cannot nor should die, and I don't think that will ever happen. Why, because handlooms is an integral part of the culture.
I'm not Indian but I respect, admire, appreciate and purchase handlooms. To be honest, there is something personal about an actual person(s) dedicating time to design and create a saree or textile. Sure, I do admit to having some powerloom sarees, but that's the past-handlooms for now on.
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