Hathakaragha or Handloom Weaving is a practice that is believed to date back to 5000 BC. Fragments of fabric, bone needles and spindles were discovered in the ruins of Mohenjodaro and Harappa settlements of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
Traditionally, Indian Hand woven fabrics have borne motifs of daily life visuals like plants, animals, humans and symbols patronised by the aristocracy and geometric shapes and patterns in primary colours. These fabrics have been exported widely for thousands of years.
Today, India is the largest producer and exporter of handloom fabric in the world accounting for 85% of the world’s production. Equally robust is the diversity of the craft ranging from Jamdani in the east to Kanjeevaram in south India, intricate motifs from Arunachal to the compact gold work of Benaras weaving - where the famed silk is named after the city itself.