Khadi, a forgotten fabric which symbolizes freedom
Khadi is a hand-woven natural fiber cloth originating from India and Bangladesh and widely used in India. The cloth is usually woven from cotton and sometimes may also include silk or wool, which are all spun into yarn by using spinning wheel called a charkha. It is a versatile fabric, which keeps cool in summer and warm in winter. Khadi owes its revival thanks to Mahatma Gandhi. He was the one who saw it as a potential tool to being self-reliant, independent and bring villages back to life.
Khadi fabric has emerged as a fashion material recently. From being accepted as traditional wear it has now evolved as Indo-western wear. We will be amazed to know the extent Khadi fabric made dresses are gaining huge demands in the western countries and Europe too. Khadi cotton has emerged with multiple variations in accordance with the popular demands of clothing industry as well as fashion industry.
The Khadi & Village Industries Commission is charged with the planning, promoting, organizing and implementing of programs for the development of Khadi and other village industries in the rural areas. The KVIC is also taking the responsibility of encouraging and promoting research in the production techniques and equipment employed in the Khadi and Village Industries sector and providing facilities for the study of the problems relating to it.
In general, khadi is manufactured using two steps: firstly: converting the fiber into yarn using tools like spinning wheels called (Charkha) and secondly weaving the yarn into fabric using looms. The techniques of Hand spinning and hand weaving have been around for thousands of years, thus, making the art of khadi ancient.
