KOCHI: With the objective of opening up new vistas for more than 2 lakh weavers in the state, by popularizing handloom textiles among the young generation, the Department of Handlooms, Department of Tourism in association with a private consultancy, RK Enterprises, is launching ‘Looming Kerala’, a handloom expo. The expo, to be held in August, will have various events to be attended by weavers, designers and artisans. An exhibition of handloom products presented directly by the weavers will be conducted at Rajiv Gandhi indoor stadium. Another event is ‘Loom college fiesta’ an inter college fashion show featuring student designers and models with handloom as the theme to be organised at St. Teresa’s College.
‘A walk with leaders’ will feature a morning walk with eminent political leaders to promote handloom on National Handloom Day on August 7. The event will focus on recognizing the weavers who have completed 25 years in the industry. Leading designers of the country will showcase their handloom collection during the finale. The advent of powerloom with massive production capacity has adversely impacted the handloom industry. Till 1995, about 5 lakh people were engaged in the sector which has come down to less than 2 lakhs now. More than 50 per cent of the cooperative societies have shut down in the last decade. “The event will be a game changer for the ailing handloom sector. It is expected to help in bringing back the glory of the industry,” said Sharmila Nair, a Kochi-based fashion designer who conceptualized ‘Looming Kerala’.
