National Handloom Day 2023: Potential careers in India’s creative handloom sector

By India Today Education Desk: The handloom industry in India holds a special place in our hearts, as it combines traditional craftsmanship with painstaking quality. The handloom sector presents a promising career path for the younger generation as designers, marketers, and entrepreneurs.

By studying and understanding the diverse handloom industry in India, professionals can devise strategies to market popular handloom products on a global scale. Foreign markets have a growing demand for sustainable and authentic fabrics, and India is a major producer in this regard.

According to the annual report released by the Ministry of Textiles in 2022, the export of handloom items during the year 2020-21 was Rs 1644.78 crore. In 2022 India was the sixth largest exporter of textiles and apparel in the world.

Dr P Thennarasu, Director, the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology, Varanasi has shared how a career in India's creative handloom sector offers a unique blend of tradition, creativity, sustainability, entrepreneurship.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT AND INITIATIVES

Building your own brand or working for established brands can also be rewarding paths in the handloom industry. The supportive policies of the Indian government, such as the 'Make In India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives, provide opportunities for professionals to venture into international and domestic markets.

Tax concessions, subsidies, and credit lines further support the growth of the handloom industry. Campaigns such as 'My Handloom My Pride' also help in creating awareness and excitement among larger audiences for India's diverse handlooms.

Home textiles, including rugs, durries, kitchen linen, and decorative furnishings, account for over 60 percent of India's handloom exports. Mass-marketing Indian handloom products can be a lucrative way to capitalise on this demand.

Market aggregation strategies have proven successful in various industries, and the handloom sector in India holds significant untapped potential in this regard.

EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY FOR GLOBAL REACH

Embracing technology is crucial for the handloom sector's advancement. Recently, digital marketplaces have emerged as modern brands, connecting artisans with customers worldwide. Upskilling craftspeople to adapt to digitisation can simplify their efforts and enhance their market reach.

INDIAN HANDLOOM OFFERS BOUNDLESS OPPORTUNITIES

For a designer, the Indian handloom space offers boundless opportunities to work with different fabrics, weaves, and patterns. For aspiring designers, the opportunity is to work across the breadth of all handlooms or create a niche and go deep into innovating different products and use cases within the niche.

The handloom industry in India is not only the country's largest cottage industry, but also a significant employer in rural areas, providing livelihoods to over 3.5 million people.

It generates substantial income, positively impacts the environment, and creates value for rural communities. Overall, textiles as a sector is also developing fast in India, with greater opportunities. It allows you to contribute to the preservation of traditional crafts, support artisans, and be a part of a vibrant and growing industry.

The handloom industry in India presents a unique and fulfilling career path. With its rich heritage, growing demand, and supportive government policies. Professionals in this sector have the potential to rise and shine.