@ Vikash Sharma | Sr Journalist
New Delhi: The Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, proudly announces “VIRAASAT – Celebrating 75 Handwoven Saris of India”, a handloom sari festival to commemorate the momentous occasion of 75 years of Indian Independence. Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs and Smt. Darshana Jardosh, Minister of State for Textiles & Railways lit the lamp and inaugurated the exhibition which was attended by many eminenet female Members of Parliament along with other dignetories. The celebration of Six Yards, organized at Handloom Haat, Janpath in New Delhi by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), is taking place in two phases from December 16 to 30, 2022, and from January 3 to 17, 2023 (11 AM to 8 PM on all days). The saris in the exhibition are from Weavers Service Centres (WSCs) collections, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
This high-profile Mega Event has a special focus on Handloom Saris from various parts of the nation and is envisaged to bring together handloom weavers of the country, sari designers, and sari lovers and buyers.
The word “sari” originates from the southwestern Dravidian word sire, and a sari is not just a garment. It is a story ready to be unfolded. Due to its seamless quality, the sari conforms to the principles of purity laid down by Hindu culture. There are numerous regional, ethnic, and tribal communities in India; therefore, you can observe different sari styles and draping methods. Amalgamating tradition and modernity, the sari remains timeless and an iconic Indian attire for the world.
The ‘5F’ vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister inspires the theme pavilion. The ‘5F’ formula encompasses – farm to fibre; fibre to factory; factory to fashion; fashion to foreign. This integrated vision will help further the growth of the textile sector in the economy. This month-long event is a delight for sari lovers, with an exhibition and sale of saris from across the country to go back with memories of cultural events, films, and delectable food.
The handloom sector symbolizes our country’s rich and varied cultural heritage. It engages 31 lakh people, which is next only to the agricultural sector in the country. For centuries, it has been sustained by the inter-generational transfer of skills. The sector’s strength lies in its flexibility to absorb innovations in production techniques that have evolved over time, adaptability to users’ requirements, and wealth of traditions assimilated over centuries, not only from within the country but also from civilizations beyond national borders. Handloom art has traditional values attached to it, and each region has exquisite varieties. The uniqueness of products such as Varanasi Brocades, Kancheepuram Saris, Tangaliya, Pashmina Shawl, Tussar Saris, Naga Shawl, Kotpad Sari, Madhubani Painting, etc., to name a few attract customers across the globe with exclusives art, weaves, designs and traditional motifs. The Government of India has launched various schemes for Handloom for branding of high-quality products with zero defects and zero effect on the environment to encourage and to give a distinct identity to the products, apart from highlighting the uniqueness of the products. It also serves as a guarantee for the buyer that the product being purchased is genuinely handcrafted. All the exhibitors at the exhibition have been encouraged to display their exquisite products and thus aim to improve the market for Handloom saris and the earnings of the handloom community.
The Mega Event “VIRAASAT – Celebrating 75 Handwoven Saris of India” #MySariMyPride Sari Festival and exhibition is open to the public from 11 AM to 8 PM from December 16 to 30, 2022, and from January 3 to 17, 2023.
