Khadi - The Origin
Khadi - The Origin
Khadi derived from khaddar is a hand-spun and woven natural fiber cloth promoted by Mahatma Gandhi as swadeshi for the freedom struggle of the Indian subcontinent, and the term is used throughout India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The first piece of the hand-woven cloth was manufactured in the Sabarmati Ashram during 1917–18. The coarseness of the cloth led Gandhi to call it khadi. The cloth is made from cotton, but it may also include silk or wool, which are all spun into yarn on a charkha. It is a versatile fabric that remains cool in summer and warm in winter. To improve its appearance, khadi is sometimes starched to give it a stiffer feel. It is widely accepted in various fashion circles.
Khadi commands a sentimental value for Indians. It is often associated with Mahatma Gandhi. Someone said the first true Indian designer was Mahatma because of his appeal to Indians to wear khadi garments. That appeal was necessitated because of the need to create self-reliance and prove the unity of India to English. Khadi also symbolized the need and importance of indigenous manufactured goods. Khadi represented India’s resistance and revolution. Khadi was also the face of Indian identity. Many people get confused between charkha with kargha (handloom). The basic difference between the two is while khadi is hand-made; handloom yarn is processed at the mills.
The actual meaning of khadi is any cloth that is hand spun and hand woven. India has a long history of textiles. In the Vedic period, Aryans used to produce their own cloth. Khadi had an important role in marriage functions. Khadi charkhas were presented to brides in their wedding trousseau to encourage the spinning of the yarn.
Even history supports and validates the importance of khadi and basic Indian textiles. As per the historians, Alexander the Great was mesmerized by the art of fabric making and printing. The renowned traveler Marco Polo was also dazzled by this Indian beauty. But it was our own father of the nation who gave it the real importance which was long due. His launching of the movement of spin your own cloth and buy hand-spun cloth had the whole country flocking to wear khadi and rejecting all other types of textiles. No wonder, khadi is considered as the fabric of the freedom struggle.
The actual meaning of khadi is any cloth that is hand spun and hand woven. India has a long history of textiles. In the Vedic period, Aryans used to produce their own cloth. Khadi had an important role in marriage functions. Khadi charkhas were presented to brides in their wedding trousseau to encourage the spinning of the yarn.
Even history supports and validates the importance of khadi and basic Indian textiles. As per the historians, Alexander the Great was mesmerized by the art of fabric making and printing. The renowned traveler Marco Polo was also dazzled by this Indian beauty. But it was our own father of the nation who gave it the real importance which was long due. His launching of the movement of spin your own cloth and buy hand-spun cloth had the whole country flocking to wear khadi and rejecting all other types of textiles. No wonder, khadi is considered as the fabric of the freedom struggle.
Hand-loom khadi fabric
Khadi also known as Khaddar, is a traditional fabric of India and is more associated with a feeling of patriotism. Currently, the fabric is gaining a global spotlight. Khadi is a fabric that brings a feeling of peace, nationalism, and simplicity among Indians. Closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi and the freedom revolt, this fabric is also a representation of the Indian handloom industry.
Khadi fabrics are generally hand-spun and hand-woven. But they vary from handloom fabrics in a way that it's completely handmade, while handloom fabrics are processed at mills. Yarns of khadi fabric are spun with a spinning wheel known as the charkha. Khadhi fabrics are mainly woven on handloom from woolen yarn, cotton, and silk and are hand spun. Initially, the coarse and rough fabric was primarily not preferred by people who preferred luxurious and soft fabrics. But with the current wake of an environmentally friendly lifestyle, even the increased number of workers involved in the spinning process is not enough to satisfy the demand.
Khadi fabrics blend well with the skin after two washes. It is breathable and has a self-texture. Much equaling in virtues with Egyptian cotton and linen, khadi can be blended with other fabrics such as denim, wool, silk, and polyester giving good results. Designer Rohit Bal was mainly responsible for bringing the fabric into the fashion spotlight. Other renowned designers like Deepika Govind, Anju Modi, Sangita Singh Kath Wada, and Wendell Rodricks have also used khadi to design their collections.
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