Ongoing Research Activity
Our Tier 2 partner IMC Economic Research & Training Foundation is carrying out a study on “Geographical mapping of handloom producing areas in India and documentation of product profile of hand woven products”.
The objective of the study is to bring together scattered information and literature etc. on handloom clusters and products at one place and document scientifically the same so that this documentation becomes useful to the researchers on handlooms as well as to all the stake holders in times to come.
The products of the Indian handloom industry are breath-takingly diverse and highly variegated. While at the lower end coarse lungis, dhotis and sarees in low counts are produced by a majority of weavers in a large number of handloom centers, at the higher end are the more expensive handloom center- specific silk and cotton brands with their unique designs and exclusive clientele. In between there is also a wide range of moderately priced cotton and silk varieties that cater to the middle class clientele. The handloom weavers weave from a range of fibers like cotton, silk, tussar, jute, wool and synthetic blends.
Each State churns out its own unique variety of handlooms. The tussar of West Bengal, Pashmina Shawls of Kashmir, Paithani of Maharashtra, etc are too well known.
To highlight the rich tradition and superb variety of handloom products produced in India, the IMC Economic Research and Training Foundation has undertaken this responsibility of creating a documentation centre for the handlooms industry in India.
The documentation centre will have rare books, documents on handlooms as also sample and photographs duly classified and documented of handlooms in India.
The documentation centre is planned to be set up in a visible corner of the Library of the Indian Merchants' Chamber.
Eventually, the objective of the Chamber is to make this a single-stop information source on handlooms in India.
To enable us to fulfill this much desired project, we earnestly request all stakeholders/connoisseurs to furnish us with all possible information that you may have on the handloom industry in India and abroad.
