May 1st 2024.
The small town of Kendrapara has been facing a major crisis as the traditional handloom industry has taken a hit. Over the past thirty years, 70% of the handloom units in the district have been forced to shut down, leaving around 7,000 skilled artisans without jobs. This unfortunate situation has been a result of the introduction of modern machines and high-quality threads in the market, which have taken over the demand for hand-woven products. The weavers who once made a decent living by creating beautiful handloom clothes are now struggling to make ends meet.
One of the main reasons for the closure of these handloom units is the lack of government support and promotion. Without proper funding and marketing facilities, these units were unable to keep up with the competition from modern manufacturers. In addition, the absence of modern weaving machines and good quality threads has also played a major role in the decline of the handloom sector in Kendrapara.
The handwoven dhotis, napkins, and clothes produced by these units were once highly sought after in the state. However, with the passage of time, the market became flooded with machine-made products and high-quality cotton threads, which led to a decrease in demand for handloom products. This has also resulted in the closure of several handloom weavers' cooperative societies, which used to market these products.
Kishore Dey, a weaver from Thakurhat village, shared that many looms have now fallen silent as weavers are no longer interested in creating sarees, lungis, dhotis, and towels. The rising cost of raw materials has made it difficult for them to sustain their businesses. He added that over 10,000 residents from various villages used to earn their livelihood by weaving, but now they are struggling to make ends meet.
Weaving handloom products used to be a part of the school curriculum, and a school was even established for this purpose during the freedom movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. Despite the current high demand for handloom products both in India and abroad, many units are on the verge of closure, while others have already shut down due to lack of government support, according to Dey.
Narayan Bhadra, another weaver from Korua village, shared that handloom products are still in high demand both within and outside the state, as well as in foreign countries. Weaving is the second source of income for many, after agriculture. However, the dwindling income has forced many youths to migrate to other states or even abroad in search of better opportunities. The constant challenges and low income have led to a loss of interest in this traditional business.
Harekrushna Das, president of the Kushiapal handloom weavers' cooperative society, highlighted that despite the increasing popularity of machine-made clothes, there is still a high demand for handloom products during weddings and festivals. However, the lack of marketing facilities has been a major obstacle for the weavers. Ajay Kumar Behera, another weaver, also mentioned that the rising cost and shortage of raw materials have made it difficult for them to sustain their businesses. Moreover, government restrictions on the purchase of certain chemicals have affected the quality of their products, leading to a decline in profits.
It is unfortunate that handloom products do not receive the same kind of recognition and publicity as other traditional products, such as Sambalpuri handloom or Jhel saree, which are often worn by important figures like President Droupadi Murmu. The government has been making efforts to support and promote the handloom industry through the state-owned Khadi Board and Boyanika. Recently, a sum of Rs15 crore has been allocated to Boyanika to purchase handloom products directly from the weavers, which is expected to boost their business.
In conclusion, the handloom industry in Kendrapara has been facing numerous challenges, from modern competition to lack of government support and marketing facilities. However, with the recent government initiatives, there is hope that the traditional art of handloom weaving will be revived and the skilled artisans will once again be able to make a decent living from their craftsmanship.
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