Khadi_ Ambar Charkha

Hand weaving has been prominent since time immemorial and so it makes the craft of Khadi ancient. Historically, the Indus civilization was the first to develop a well formed tradition of textiles. In fact, the discovery of ancient terracotta spindle wheel, bone tools for weaving and terracotta beads are evidence that support the theory that weaving has been around for thousands of years.
Today when people don't have the time or the patience to wade through the sea of traffic to go to the mall to buy clothes and instead prefer shopping at the click of a button in the comfort of their homes, there is one septuagenarian in the city who goes the whole nine yards from spinning her own yarn on the charkha to making her own clothes. Every sunday, the Gandhian spends close to two hours teaching those interested in learning how to weave khadi.
Amber Charkha, or a modern version of the spinning wheel, has been a tool and a symbol of the Indian independence movement, consisting of four spindle, hand operated wooden spinning wheel.
A charkha is basically a small, portable,hand-cranked wheel, ideal for spinning cotton and other fine, short-staple fibers. It can also be used to spin other fibers. The Charkha was fundamental to the cotton textiles, long before the Industrial Revolution had started in India. 
It has definitely laid the foundations for improved machinery such as the spinning jenny and spinning frame, which replaced the spinning wheel during the Industrial Revolution and further led to the introduction of new technologies to produce yarn of better quality in short time period.
Amber Charkha is a modern version of the spinning wheel. It has played an important role in keeping khadi relevant in a modern context. Ideal for weavers working from home or in a workshop setting which many prefer because of the sense of community that a workshop creates.
Solar powered Amber charkhas are been used at weaveing factories, this has taken the concept of Khadi into the 21th century.
In spite of upgraded technology the use of Amber Charkha is declining, and It can be attributed to labour intensive, high cost of finished fabric and decline of master weavers.
Future of Khadi:
Khadi’s organic and zero carbon footprint nature allows us to believe that a lot can be done combining the different natural fibers of our country and by keeping the original essence of Khadi and still making it fit for the modern society.
Incorporating Khadi in our daily life may also pave the way for a simple spiritual living exuded by our clothing and home décor items. Khadi being such a versatile fabric can be easily incorporated, by changing the warp and weft, in a home decor and clothing lines.
Before Independence, khadi for nation.
Post-Independence, khadi for fashion.
Jai Devanga.
GaviRangappa S P
Devanga's Vidhana.
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