Handloom Exhibition Kicks Off in Ooty

Quick Summary

• The Nilgiris District Collector, Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru, inaugurated a handloom exhibition on Thursday to celebrate the 11th National Handloom Day.
• The event showcased handloom textiles crafted by artisans from the Nilgiris and Coimbatore under the Tamil Nadu Handloom Weavers’ Co-operative Society (Co-Optex).
• Products exhibited included silk and cotton saris as well as Toda embroidery work, which is GI-tagged. A discount of 20% was offered on all items.
• Mementos were presented by the Collector to three members of the Toda community for their outstanding contribution to weaving Toda embroidered clothing.

Indian Opinion Analysis

India’s celebration of National Handloom Day underscores efforts to support its rich cultural heritage while promoting local craftsmanship and economic self-reliance. This exhibition highlights how government initiatives like Co-Optex can drive visibility for traditional arts such as Tamil Nadu’s GI-tagged Toda embroidery, which holds immense cultural significance. Furthermore, recognizing artisans’ contributions through awards encourages continuation of these skilled practices in underserved communities like the todas.Economically, discounts on handlooms may broaden buyer access but require scaling awareness efforts nationwide to ensure such products sustain demand against mass-produced alternatives.

Read more: The Hindu