‘Know Your Weaves 2025’ Launches to Celebrate India’s Handloom Legacy

In her inaugural address, Secretary Rao emphasized the campaign’s mission to reignite public interest in India’s vast handloom heritage and ensure its legacy continues through the younger generation.

In a vibrant celebration of India’s age-old textile traditions and craftsmanship, the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, has launched the “Know Your Weaves Campaign 2025”, a week-long nationwide celebration running from August 1 to August 7 at the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, New Delhi. The event marks a grand prelude to the National Handloom Day, observed annually on August 7 to honor the contribution of handloom weavers to India’s cultural and economic fabric.

The campaign was officially inaugurated by Ms. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, in the presence of Smt. Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Dr. M. Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), as well as principals, professors, and students from various schools and colleges.

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A Living Tapestry of India’s Textile Heritage

In her inaugural address, Secretary Rao emphasized the campaign’s mission to reignite public interest in India’s vast handloom heritage and ensure its legacy continues through the younger generation. “Handlooms are not just fabrics—they are stories, livelihoods, and symbols of Indian identity. 'Know Your Weaves' is about encouraging young India to embrace and celebrate this heritage,” she said.

She also toured the exhibition, engaging in meaningful conversations with master weavers from different regions, applauding their commitment to preserving indigenous textile traditions in the modern age.

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Campaign Objectives: Awareness, Appreciation, and Action

Now in its successive edition, the campaign is an annual fixture that aims to:

• Raise awareness about India’s diverse regional weaving traditions

• Foster pride in indigenous crafts among the youth and the public

• Encourage market access and support for traditional artisans

• Integrate cultural education into school and college outreach programs

The 2025 campaign builds on last year’s success, which saw participation from 7,900 students from 58 schools over a fortnight. This year’s edition promises a more immersive and participatory experience.

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Key Highlights of “Know Your Weaves 2025”

1. Weave Exhibition Pavilion A walk-through gallery showcasing iconic Indian weaves such as:

   • Banarasi silk from Uttar Pradesh

   • Chanderi and Maheshwari from Madhya Pradesh

   • Pochampally Ikat from Telangana

   • Kanjeevaram from Tamil Nadu

   • Bhujodi from Gujarat

   • Eri and Muga silks from Assam

   Artisans are stationed at live counters, demonstrating intricate weaving techniques, dyeing processes, and finishing touches.

2. Interactive Workshops Daily sessions introduce attendees to:

   • Natural dyeing and handloom weaving techniques

   • Tie-and-dye and block printing

   • Quiz competitions on textile trivia and cultural heritage

   • Skill training modules for design students and young entrepreneurs

3. Storytelling Installations The journey of India’s handlooms is narrated through:

   • Archival films and documentaries

   • Personal stories of weavers and their struggles and innovations

   • Digital timelines connecting past traditions with present-day challenges

4. Youth Engagement Programs

   • Curated school and college tours with expert-led walk-throughs

   • Essay, poster-making, and photography contests centered on weaving themes

   • Collaboration with fashion and design institutions for curated capsule collections featuring traditional fabrics

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A Curtain Raiser to National Handloom Day 2025

As a curtain raiser to the Handloom Day celebrations, the event also lays the foundation for the upcoming Handloom Week, where further outreach, policy dialogue, and e-commerce initiatives for artisans are expected to be unveiled.

The Ministry has reiterated its commitment to bringing handloom closer to mainstream fashion, design, and retail. A special mention was made of the recent collaborations between weaver cooperatives and contemporary designers, bringing traditional crafts to urban consumers and global audiences.

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Bridging Heritage and the Future

The “Know Your Weaves” campaign is a reflection of India’s broader cultural policy agenda under the Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal vision, which seeks to align economic empowerment with cultural preservation. Handloom, as a labor-intensive, eco-friendly, and community-driven sector, is seen as vital to both employment generation and soft power diplomacy.

Speaking on the sidelines, DC Handlooms Dr. M. Beena noted, “India’s handloom sector employs over 35 lakh people directly and indirectly, most of whom are women. Recognizing, supporting, and celebrating their craft is essential to sustaining rural livelihoods and traditions.”

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Call to Action: Be a Handloom Hero

The Ministry of Textiles has urged citizens to visit the Crafts Museum during the campaign week and support the movement by:

• Choosing handloom products

• Sharing stories about local weavers

• Promoting awareness on social media using the tag #KnowYourWeaves2025

• Encouraging schools to include heritage textile learning in their curriculum

As India prepares to celebrate National Handloom Day, “Know Your Weaves 2025” stands as a reminder that every thread woven is a thread connecting India’s past, present, and future.