A fabric that embodies a worldview of the past as well as of the future, khadi is a symbol of Indian textile heritage. And that’s the reason why seven decades after India gained its hard-won independence, khadi continues to inspire and amaze people around the globe.
Khadi derived from khaddar, is hand spun and woven from cotton. However, it may also include silk or wool, which are all spun into yarn on a spinning wheel called a charkha. It is a versatile fabric, cool in summer and warm in winter. In order to improve its looks, khādī/khaddar is sometimes starched to give it a stiffer feel. It is widely accepted in various fashion circles. Popular dresses are made using khadi cloth such as dhoti, kurta, and handloom sarees such as Puttapaka Saree, Kotpad Handloom fabrics, Chamba Rumal, Tussar silk etc.
In 1957 the Khadi Villages and Industry Commission (KVIC) was created by the Indian government, executing the development of the khadi industry by fueling local village economies and providing employment to India’s independent weavers.
Khadi cotton continued its revival until the 1990s, when it was veritably reinstated as a fashion statement. In 1990, Indian designer Ritu Beri presented her first khadi collection, highlighting the fabric on the world stage.
A bunch of designers working to make khadi more wearable as sustainable fashion is the need of the hour considering the deteriorating situation of our environment.
The Khadi Cult generally works around co-ordinated sets, funky shirts, graphic pantsuits, things that one won’t associate with khadi at first glance. Khadi is the answer to a sustainable way of life. Cow dung and silicone are used as softening materials. Value-addition is done through hand-painting, printing, and surface ornamentation techniques. It is the only fabric that doesn’t use fossil fuel. Sustainable fashion will move as a core element to inspire companies rooted in designing a better future.
Khadi truly is a modern, yet quintessentially Indian fabric, a symbolic reminder of India’s legacy of sustainable living and self-reliance. Many designers have started introducing exclusive khadi collections on e-commerce portals. It’s amazing how the efforts to resuscitate khadi has now matured into a new wave of nationalistic fervour.