INTEGRATED WEAVERS TRAINING CENTRE, POCHAMPALLE

Abstract

Handloom industry is one of the oldest industries in the history of human civilisation. Like air, food, water and housing, availability of sufficient cloth is prime necessity of life. The clothing stands first in list of necessary articles of man as soon as he appears on the great stage of the world. A newly born baby is immediately wrapped in a clean and soft cloth, in order to protect it from rough weather. A piece of cloth protects it as a shell protects a glittering or shining pearl. In fact, its clothing is its nearest, best and “movable” shelter. In this way, the textile industry has paramount importance in our life. In primcul age, man could not have gone without clothing and civilisation itself begins with the clothing. Weaving is the most important useful of all artistic craft. 1/5* o f working world is engaged in weaving and its various branches. Modem culture is no less indebted to the noble and dignified art, which has been professed from a king to and ordinary man in different ages of history. land weaving has been the basic activity of human society since time immemorial in which utility and aesthetics are blended together. It is said that, “one who works with one’s hands is a labourer; one who works with one’s hands and brain is a craftsman and one who works with one’s hands and heart is an artist.” Handloom weavers are indeed a band of creative artist in the sense that they pour their entire souls in to the job. The weavers not only weave with yam, but their ‘deep feelings and emotions are also woven in the texture’ Apart from being a source of livelihood handloom weaving is woven into the very cultural heritage of Indian Society. Indian handloom textile industry is as old as humanity itself from time immemorial the handloom industry has been playing a vital role in the Indian economy, Handloom weaving still constitutes the largest handicraft industry in India, providing means of livelihood to the millions of the people. Handloom has been a tradition and a craft handed down from generation to generation. Historically, handloom weaving especially of cotton fabrics, has been the most important non-agricultural productive activity in the country. Apart from cultivation handloom weaving provides the highest employment to the rural people. Handloom weaving is by far the largest and the most important cottage industry next only to agriculture; both in terms of employment and value of output. The “hand-woven” fabric is symbolic of man’s endeavour to bring beauty and grace in to a life, which is otherwise severely constrained by the standardisation and lie consequent monotony. With 10 million people in India today directly and indirectly working to provide an essential item, combing traditional beauty with quality. There is at present virtually no study of handloom weaving anywhere in India. Most academic work on the handloom sector tends to be historical; there has been no interest in studying handloom weaving in contemporary content. Thus, there is no way one can realistically assess the prospects for handloom weaving in the coming years. keywords: integrated, training centre, weaving spaces.