The Mismatch Between Handlooms and Powerlooms.

India is the only country that still creates textiles  from the efforts of our weavers. The world has lost the hand-weaving and loom process, along with all natural and organic processes of creating textiles. 
Mill-made fabrics and synthetics largely dominate fashion markets.One of the miracles of India is that we still have distinctive fabrics created by our weavers and designed by masters.
Handloom saree are traditional textile,which are the most breathable garments, which have originated simultaneously with growth of civilizations.
Powerlooms are used to speed up production in less time at lower cost. However, there is still difference between difference between a handloom saree and powerloom saree.
Weaves of Handloom saree will have minor imperfections and discrepancies, which is the beauty of the garment. While in Powerloom saree every inch looks exactly the same.
The back side of Handloom saree is same as front side whereas in a Powerloom one will find lot of loose threads that will be hanging on the back side.
Since Handloom saree is woven by pinning it to the loom. They often have pin marks or holes at equal distance on top or bottom of saree or near the border. In Powerloom it is not so, they are flawless and smooth.
Handloom sarees are soft in texture and more resilient whereas a power-loom saree are little stiff and hard in feel. Handloom sarees drape well, whereas Powerloom saree have tendency to slip.
Textiles are the biggest employment generator in India after agriculture. Though the share of handloom in production is only 11% and the revenue of the sector is just Rs 2,812 crore, it provides employment to 4.4 million weaver-families. 
The Handloom (Reservation and Articles for Production) Act, 1985, defined handloom as any loom other than powerloom, and included 22 items such as pure silk and cotton saris, lungis, dress material, and towels. The list was whittled down to 11 items in the mid 90s.
In 2012, a new definition was proposed: Handloom means any loom other than powerloom; and includes any hybrid loom on which at least one process of weaving require manual intervention or human energy for production.
Powerloom fabrics are been marketed as handloom, because the enforcement of the Act is slack, over 70% of fabric sold as khadi and handloom are outsourced from Powerlooms.
Handloom requires at least six workers from start to finish, including dyeing, starching, spooling, weaving, ironing and tying up loose ends.
On the other hand Powerloom needs one worker to operate one or more looms
As the industry becomes unremunerative, centuries-old technique and skills could be lost permanently. We on the whole will lose our USP- Weavers.
The livelihoods of our weavers are an endangered part of our textile heritage and in recent years several weavers have committed suicide.
The sector also provides employment to women, who initially used to only spin yarn have taken up weaving and form a unique,potentially rich, eco-friendly cottage industry.
I do not believe that the powerloom is not required, but can’t both handloom and powerloom fabrics co-exist? With the right policy framework, in place, surely there could be peaceful co-existence between the two.
Handloom products must be promoted and marketed to customers, who appreciate the value of handmade fabrics and products and do not mind paying a premium for them.
The handloom textile is highly fragmented and labour-intensive, the weavers who have been practicing their traditions generation after generation still reveal the ordeal that these craftsman face when competing with the ever changing dynamics of the needs of the customers and the economy at large. 
The way they still hold on to pit looms and traditional designs is mesmerizing and every weaver has their own unique story which cannot be defined easily.
"Today everything's a conflict of interest." 
GaviRangappa S P.
Devanga's Vidhana.
Bengaluru.

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