09/09/2023
Revival of Handloom Culture at Loyola Academy
Chenethaku Cheyutha (Handhold Handlooms), an event hosted at Loyola Academy, Alwal on 7th August which highlights the initiative taken by the Telangana state government to celebrate National Handloom day. The day is celebrated to protect and encourage the impact of handloom in our country and culture. Historically, handloom served as a source of rebellion during the Swadeshi Movement, now the government reintroduces it as an environmentally friendly substitute for machine made fabrics (fast fashion).
Loyola Academy organised this event, to help educate the students about a more sustainable alternative to clothing and to stress importance in contributing to the handloom industry. Smt. Sudha Rani Mullapudi- Ex Vice President of Telangana Handloom Council, founder/ CEO of Abhihara was invited as the Chief Guest. The event had an emphasis on the era of ‘Jeans over Handloom’ and how people are forgetting about the art of hand because of machines. Machine-made fabrics are in high demand, increasing pollution by day, which in turn lead to decrease of the handloom industry; for which the theme of this year’s National Handloom Day is ‘Handlooms for Sustainable Fashion’.
‘NETHANA’ a documentary by Ch. Srinath, an alumni of the college, was displayed at the event. It depicted the life of the weavers and the struggles they face in the industry. The college also took an active participation in promoting our handloom culture by donning handloom attires from across the country proudly representing each region and spoke about the origin and the intricate work of their respective handloom fabric. This competition showcased cultural diversity,where the chief guest sponsored 12 handloom stoles to the winners. The winner had worn a Banarasi white kurti draped with a Pochampally saree, which is already a gaining traction with the youth’s trends recently.
It was an event that reminded the audience of the true beauty and essence of handloom culture which has instilled a sense of pride for our culture.
