Natl Handloom Day celebration
Our Bureau
SHILLONG/TURA, Aug 7: The state government is committed to not only develop but also promote the weaving sector by integrating technology and innovation.
Revealing this during a programme to celebrate the National Handloom Day here on Wednesday, Textiles Minister Paul Lyngdoh said the state government has been successful in showing that Meghalaya’s fabrics and products are no longer confined to the villages of Ri-Bhoi.
Informing that last year Meghalaya was successful in exporting those fabrics from Motphran to Milan in Italy, Lyngdoh congratulated all stakeholders involved in the process of adding colour, vision and imbibing fresh lease of life to the local fabrics.
He also expressed the state government’s interest to tap the potential of state’s weaving sector and make the locally made textile and handloom products famous not only in India but also internationally.
Observing that National Handloom Day marks the commemoration of the Swadeshi Movement started by Mahatma Gandhi in 1905, Lyngdoh, while referring to the idea of ahimsa, said the peaceful weaving community does not engage in killing worms in the process of producing eri, muga and ryndia.
“Today we are in a position to welcome visitors to Meghalaya with our multi-dimensional centre at Nongpoh, which we intend to inaugurate soon and which will provide and showcase what Meghalaya fabrics are to the rest of the world,” the textiles minister said.
Lyngdoh then went on to assure that the state government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the department empowers and enhances the local weavers, artisans and entrepreneurs.
Textiles expert from Scotland, Dr Anna Louise Meynell, who attended the programme as a special guest, referred to eri silk, especially Ryndai from Meghalaya, and said, “Few of the aspects which I have covered myself with ryndia and how I communicate ryndia and the work of the artisans to the wider textile community. I have called this communicating ryndia since communication is important in terms of increasing the awareness of ryndia and the awareness of the artisan and increasing the awareness of the amount of work that goes into producing the textile of ryndia.”
Recalling the start of her journey with ryndia in 2014 while she was working with NESFAS,
Dr Meynell said she presented the whole process of production from cocoon to spinning, natural dyeing and weaving and the final product.
While referring to her research work, she said, “My research really went quite into exploring the cultural significance of ryndia in Meghalaya. I was working with the artisan of Khatarlyngdoh community, Karbi community in Assam and artisan from Ri-Bhoi. I was fascinated with this garment and had so much depth with the motive and cultural significance,” Dr Meynell said.
She also informed that they had an exhibition in Shillong in 2018, which, she added, was an important event.
“It was wonderful to see people reacting to the work that was there in Ri-Bhoi district and many people were not actually of the depth of the skill which I can see has changed in the few years since then. I can see an explosion of hand-weaving activity in Ri-Bhoi district and other areas of Meghalaya,” she said.
On the occasion, the textiles minister released the Meghalaya Textile Directory-cum-Textiles Atlas besides launching the e-portal of the department.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Secretary of Textiles department, FR Kharkongor, revealed that the e-portal will help market the local products.
Informing that the government has applied for the GI tag for ryndia and is still in the hearing stage, Kharkongor said, “Hopefully in the course of the year, we will get a call from the GI authority and hopefully get a GI tag for ryndia.”
In Tura, the Department of Textile and Apparel Designing, College of Community Science, CAU (I), Tura, marked the day with the inauguration of the ICAR NINFET training programme on ‘Strengthening livelihood opportunities for farmers in the Garo Hills through the processing and value addition of non-conventional fibers, specifically banana pseudostem fiber’, which is being organised till August 14.
The event saw the participation of handloom weavers and entrepreneurs from West Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills. Puneet Sharma, the wife of DIG Sector Tura, BSF, West Garo Hills, who was the chief guest, delivered an insightful address on the importance of handloom crafts, the industry’s sustainability prospects, and the role of handloom weavers in achieving sustainable livelihoods for families and contributing to the national economy.
Guest of honour Dr Sanre G Momin, Zonal Director of the Sericulture department, spoke about the importance of handloom weaving product development using modern technology, sericulture, silk rearing, reeling/spinning, dyeing, and marketing of handloom products for sustainable livelihoods. Dr. Momin also emphasized the need to preserve traditional textiles and designs through technology like CAD for preservation, variety, and increased productivity.
Dean of the College of Community Science, CAU, Tura, Dr Jyoti V Vastrad, who presided over the inaugural session, shared her views on National Handloom Day and the importance of upskilling handloom weavers, weaving design, and product development through various techniques and technologies.
To encourage weavers for their efforts in keeping their age-old craft alive, four prominent weavers — Elasha Sangma, Nillima R. Marak, Benchie G Momin, and Florich R Marak from West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills districts — were felicitated during the programme.