Uttarakhand Hathkargha

Uttarakhand has around 15000 registered handloom weavers spread all around the state. Their creations are innovative and are created using a variety of fabrics and designs. But the condition of handloom weavers is worsening every year in the state of Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand Hathkargha, the brainchild of Ashish Dhyani, has been working with the weavers to make handloom mainstream again.

Ashish Dhyani, a graduate in Production and Industrial Engineering from IIT Roorkee, was working in SAIL, a Maharatna company, before coming back to Fhis home state. While in Roorkee, he came in contact with some weavers from villages around Roorkee. For the first time he came to know about the gradually deteriorating condition of weavers in the area.

In the villages around Roorkee, only 10% (approx) of the original number of weavers are left in the business of weaving and the number is declining still. The same situation is prevalent throughout the State.

According to recent trends, weaver's market size is shrinking. The sales are declining even though the product is good and available at a relatively cheaper price. Hence, they are leaving their traditional work for avenues where they can earn.

With insufficient business (they weave only for 4-5 months a year) and with no land to depend upon, they are forced to work in nearby areas. This has caused a gradual migration of weaver’s community who instead of carrying forward this gifted art of theirs, are forced to move out of their homes to work as labourers, factory workers and even rickshaw-pullers. Most of them are sending their sons to work in the metros. If this continues then in a few years this art form will cease to exist in these areas.

To reverse this exodus and turn the tide, Ashish started a project to increase the business of weavers through product variation and market expansion. He collaborated with a local fashion designing institute and prepared several products using design elements such as tie and dye. The products garnered a huge response and patronage at a fashion show in Roorkee.

As a result of these efforts a cooperative model arose in which through the collective efforts of a hardworking group of people and a few design interventions, this art form can be rejuvenated. This model will not only make weaving more profitable and create employment, but also help establish their own brand name. A trustworthy name, and a stage that speaks for its credibility, UTTARAKHAND HATHKARGHA

The project is also connecting these handloom weavers to charity organizations, temples, orphanages, old age homes etc. who procure warm clothes like shawls, Lois on a yearly basis. This way the handloom makers will have a bigger market and the charity organizations will have good products at cheaper prices and a chance to contribute to improving the condition of handloom in Uttarakhand.

With welfare and contribution as the guiding principles, UTTARAKHAND HATHKARGHA provides them a platform through which they can promote their creations and create awareness among the masses about their products.

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