Khadi - The Origin

Khadi - The Origin

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 of creating self reliance and proving 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 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 spinning of the yarn.

Even history supports and validates 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 movement of spin your own cloth and buy hand spun cloth had 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 global spotlight. Khadi is a fabric that brings a feeling of peace, nationalism, and simplicity among Indians. Closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi and freedom revolt, this fabric is also a representation of 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 environmentally friendly lifestyle, even 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, khadhi 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 fashion spotlight. Other renowned designers like Deepika Govind, Anju Modi, Sangita Singh Kath Wada, and Wendell Rodricks has also used khadi for design their collections.