Strengthening carpet weaving tradition in Gwalior

Abstract

The Handloom sector of India represents the continuity of the age- old Indian heritage and traditional knowledge system of hand weaving and reflects the socio- cultural tradition of weaving communities. Millions of looms across the country are engaged in weaving various types of carpet with the same traditional technique which has been passed on from one generation to the another through apprenticeship (means where men learn their skill of designing, dying, loom building etc.) The art of carpet weaving is one such traditional knowledge which has represented the continuity of the age- old Indian heritage and also the socio cultural tradition of weaving communities and thus has given Indian carpets a renowned place in the world. The magnificence of Indian carpet weaving and the intricate patterns that have emerged from it have substantially increased India’s carpet exports and placed it prominently in the international carpet map and thus has made it the largest exporter of handmade carpets in the world. Gwalior (M.P.) is one of the important carpet weaving centres of central India where the carpets at present also are only being produced with traditional technique. The artisans of this region are very skilled who are weaving with same age old technique. Besides woollen and silk carpets, the weavers of this region are specialized in producing artificial silk carpet.There lies a great potential in this area which has not been explored and which needs to be strengthened for the generations ahead. Therefore, this thesis would focus on the knowledge system involved in the tradition, analysing various factors that will ensure the continuity of the tradition and thus providing suitable measures for the strengthening of C.W.T in the Gwalior city.