Handloom

The Western region of Odisha have been consisting of nine districts which are the hub of Sambalpuri handloom industries. These handloom industries are the cottage industries where the weavers produce sarees in the brand "Sambalpuri Sarees" at their home. The entire family members engage themselves for production of 'Sambalpuri Patta' and they do not require any assi stance from outside workforce. Since time immemorial this Sambalpuri handloom cottage industries have been an integral part of Odisha's economy. In the districts of Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sonepur, Balangir, Kalahandi, Boudh and Nuapada these Sambapuri Cottage industries have been flourished which are in unorganized sector, ranks to agriculture in terms of inc.

Das, Anamika and Mishra, Deepak K (2021) “Reproduction of Informal Enterprises in India: A Study of the Sualkuchi Silk Handloom Cluster in Assam”, Economic & Political Weekly, 56(37):52-59.

Informality and diversity of institutional forms have been marked as distinct features of India’s postcolonial capitalist development. The present paper considers the conditions of reproduction of informal enterprises, specifically focusing on the living and working conditions of artisan labour in the silk-weaving cluster of Sualkuchi in Assam. The study indicates that kinship, gender, and caste act as regulative forces, influencing the form and scale of production, ownership, contract, and exchange relations. The results point to the significance of non-capitalist institutional arrangement in the reproduction of the handloom sector under contemporary capitalism.

In India, nearly 27.83 lakh handloom households are engaged in weaving and allied activities, out of which 87 per cent are located in rural areas and remaining 13 per cent in urban areas. The majority (82%) of handloom working households are weaver households, which means that at least one member of every such household is engaged in weaving activities. Nearly 14 per cent are allied worker households, 3 per cent are idle loom households and about 1 per cent are other handloom households having no adult handloom workers. In the North-East, 90 per cent of the handloom worker households are weaver households. The allied worker households are mostly found in the states outside the region, and form 29 per cent of the total handloom worker households in these states. A caste-wise breakup yields that about 10 per cent handloom working households belong to the Scheduled Castes (SCs), 22 per cent households belong to the Scheduled Tribes (STs), 41 per cent households are from Other Backward Castes (OBCs) and 27 per cent households belong to Others. There is major difference in the caste composition of handloom worker households in the North-East and other states. In the North-East, ST (36%) and OBC (33%) households have similar proportions of almost a third of the total households, followed by Others category households (24%), while SC households (7%) are far less in number. In states outside the North- East, more than half (53%) of the handloom worker households are OBCs, followed by households from Others (31%). SC households account for 14 per cent of the total, while ST households have a very small presence.

The Western region of Odisha have been consisting of nine districts which are the hub of Sambalpuri handloom industries. These handloom industries are the cottage industries where the weavers produce sarees in the brand "Sambalpuri Sarees" at their home. The entire family members engage themselves for production of 'Sambalpuri Patta' and they do not require any assi stance from outside workforce. Since time immemorial this Sambalpuri handloom cottage industries have been an integral part of Odisha's economy. In the districts of Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sonepur, Balangir, Kalahandi, Boudh and Nuapada these Sambapuri Cottage industries have been flourished which are in unorganized sector, ranks to agriculture in terms of inc

The financial performance of the textile industry in Tamil Nadu had been analyzed with the help of the financial ratios. The financial structure of a company can show its capacity to generate the funds needed to undertake the desired expansion. The financial performance assessment together with other efficiency criteria, will give an idea of the total efficiency and industry performance. The success of the company ultimately depends upon its future growth and development. The company " s future can never be predicted with accuracy without having precise information related to its present financial position and its past earnings. In addition, the present study analyzed the impact of the performance of liquidity, solvency and efficiency on the profitability of the textile industry using CMIE data. The study found the impact of financial ratios, such as return on capital employed and net profit ratio, on the profitability of textile industry in Tamil Nadu, was meticulously studied. From the Generalized Least Square method it was found that absolute liquidity ratio had the highest impact among the financial ratios on the return on net profit ratio as well as creditors " turnover ratio is highest impact on return on capital employed during the study period with statistical significance.It presents a detailed analysis of the determinants of financial performance of textile industry in Tamil Nadu using financial ratios. The financial structure of a company can show its capacity to generate the funds needed to undertake the desired expansion. The financial performance assessment together with other efficiency criteria, will give an idea of the total efficiency and industry performance. The success of the company ultimately depends upon its future growth and development. The company " s future can never be predicted with accuracy without having precise information related to its present financial position and its past earnings. Ratio Analysis is an age-old technique of financial analysis. The financial position of the textile industry in Tamil Nadu is analyzed with the help of the financial facts and ratios such as: liquidity, solvency, efficiency and profitability. In addition, the present study analyzed the impact of the performance of liquidity, solvency and efficiency on the profitability of the textile industry. Liquidity and profitability are the two desired goals of financial management and they are directly affected by the working capital management. With increase in working capital size beyond the adequacy level, liquidity improves and profitability declines, and vice versa. Ratio Analysis: This is an age-old technique of financial analysis. It provides the financial statements in an absolute, historical and static form. It is also designed to show

This piece provides a context to a project organised by the organisation Fieldworking in Wales. The author put the curator in contact with organisations and artisans in Kachchh, India after which a group of artists from Wales travelled to Kachchh, and then two female weaving artisans from Kachchh visited Wales. The exhibition is a result of the two groups of artists' inspiration taken from their explorations in each region, and collaborations with each other. The article provides a context to craft in Kachchh, and the important connections it has with the land, heritage and the people of the region.
http://ruthincraftcentre.org.uk/exhibitions/indian-threads-textile-inspirations/

Economic prosperity in a country can be achieved through either efficiency of resources and their proper utilization or rich skilful human resources. Skill development is the core element of economic development of any nation if it is utilized properly and in India there is a much need at the present time. Skill development or we can say training centres especially in handicraft and handloom sector are important to their production as well as marketing. Without skilled artisans, the value of a product is zero or the production of any product is not possible. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of training centres on the skill development of potential entrepreneurs. For this purpose, researcher collected the data from two districts namely, Kathua and Anantnag and carried out comparative study and analysed the challenges of training centres through entrepreneurship on handicraft sector. Moreover, study is focussed on the role of government to improve handicraft sector through skill development/training centres.

Handloom industry provides widest employment opportunities in West Bengal, where 5.8% of the households involved have been found to be silk handloom weavers, which bears a rich legacy. Shantipur and Phulia in Nadia district are the two major handloom concentrated areas in West Bengal. The main objective of this paper is to make a situational analysis of the handloom workers by focusing on the problems of the handloom weavers of Nadia district. The paper briefly elaborates the historical perspective of handloom clusters over this region at the backdrop of the then Bengal. It also analyzes the present crisis faced by the weavers of Phulia and Shantipur region of Nadia district. It makes a SWOT analysis of the handloom industry where strength, weakness, opportunity and threat of the handlooms sector has been analyzed. The paper recommends several measures like awareness campaign, financial literacy programme, SHG and consortium formation, common facility centre, dye house, market exposure to upgrade the present situation of the handloom industry.

The handloom industry in India is the flagbearer of ancient Indian history, giving employment to 14% poor (second only to agriculture) and contributing to 10% share in total textile exports each year. However, with mechanization this beautiful hand woven craft on looms is at jaws of death. This paper studies the challenges faced by handloom weavers by giving a complete picture of the handloom industries value chain. With the field study in Shantipur and Phulia towns in Nadia district of West Bengal,the sustainability of value chain is analysed. Cost Benefit analysis tool is used at every stage of handloom value chain. Focus is given on Jamdani, Shantipuri, Baluchari and Tangail saris value chain.Difference in short run profit and long run profit is obtained between two groups of weavers viz. cooperative society weavers and independent weavers is studied. It is seen that in short term independent weavers'profits is 50% higher than cooperative weavers, but in long term they are at loss.The results reflect that for handloom industry to be sustainable the independent weavers' market has to be expanded and organized.

In this chapter, we focus broadly on the mutual shaping of culture and technolo- gy in the context of a particular case in the history of the handloom industry of India through an examination of ruptures made visible in economic practices of consumption, production and marketing. We reflect on the questions raised, not so much from an intervention angle but from positioning what are referred to as “traditional knowledges” in contemporary times while problematizing the very conceptual categories of “traditional” and “modern.” We also implicitly and explicitly work against modern-day “received views” about technology (Slack and Wise, 2005, 2); we examine the loom as technology, embedded in everyday life where the interplay between economics and culture is inseparable. Thus, we take seriously the notion of technological cultures as articulated by Wise and Slack, and work through particular contexts and assemblages of handloom tech- nologies—mainly around the pit loom and the frame loom in rural South India.
[Chapter four of "Cyberculture and the Subaltern" co-authored with B. Syamasundari and Seemanthini Niranjana].

हस्तशिल्प उद्योग सदियों से भारत की सांस्कृतिक और कलात्मक धरोहर का दर्पण रहा हैI इस शोध पत्र द्वारा, वर्तमान समय में  हस्तशिल्प उद्योग के पुनरुत्थान की आवश्यकता पर जोर दिया गया है। इसका ध्येय युवा पीढ़ी में भारतीय विरासत के प्रति गौरव जाग्रत करना है। नए उद्यमियों को दिशा देकर भारत के लुप्त होते व्यवसायों को पुनः स्थापित किया जा सकेगा।

The Handloom industry is the biggest and the most important cottage industry of Bangladesh. It plays important role in the economy of Bangladesh and on the livelihood of the rural people. The present study is an attempt to analyze the cost-benefit of handloom weavers operating in Kumarkhali Upazila of Kushtia District. The study is mainly based on primary data. The data used in this study were collected through structured questionnaire from handloom industry owners in the study area. A total of 57 handloom units were randomly selected for the study. Collected data have been analyzed using mathematical and statistical techniques. The cost-benefit analysis approach enabled us to assess the profitability of the handloom industries. The major findings of the study show that handloom-weaving activity is profitable and per-loom profit for small scale and large-scale units is higher than that for the medium scale units.

Tradition of weaving by hand is a part of the country’s cultural ethos. Handloom sector is one of the largest economic activities providing employment to approximately 43.32 lakhs workforce directly or indirectly and about 23.77 lakhs of different handloom units all over the country. Handloom is unparalleled in its flexibility and versatility, permitting experimentation and encouraging innovation. There is a need to strengthen this sector given the employment potential and market demand for handloom products. Product diversification through technology and innovative designs is very much essential for the survival of this rich cultural heritage of India.
The present paper will explore the opportunities for innovative designs and technology changes in handloom sector. The study identify various designs that can be produced on handloom cotton fabric by adopting different printing technology methods without involving much infrastructure and to create fancy effect on the handloom products for the ever changing fashion market. New technologies have been developed for weaving of the products like stole, scarf, muffler, mats, napkins, towels and so on.
The paper examines the need for new technology opportunities for developing innovative designs for handloom products.

Clothing is one of the basic needs of human beings and first produced by using handlooms. Cloth can be produced by three ways: using handloom, power loom, and mills. Mill sector falls under organized sector, where as the handloom and power looms fall under unorganized sector. The supply chain in this unorganized sector is different and not given any importance. The main aim of the study is to examine the relationship between supply chain management practices and production performance in Indian handloom industry. Data is collected from the master weavers of Undivided State of Andhra Pradesh and analysed using structural equation modeling. The study found that there is a relationship between the supply chain management practices and production performance.

Handloom industry is a part of Indian culture and civilization. These craft items not only meet the basic requirement of the weavers, but also satisfies the preferences of the affluent section of the community. Despite all the bad happenings, the handloom artisans are hopeful. They hope that their art will survive the struggle.

In this article, the author explains  the approach that  Handloom units  should consider to regain what belongs to them rightfully and what should possibly be  the strategic  focus to remain viable and sustainable in an environment where competition has become more and more technology driven. He further explains  why handlooms are structurally more aligned to leveraging the value end of the business spectrum than the  volume end that cater predominantly to the mass markets.  The article also explains how this value focus, which is more perceptional in nature can put back the key element of sustainability in handloom once again and gaining even larger presence with strategic partnerships and engagements with global brands and renowned designers

Clothing is one of the basic needs of human beings and first produced by using handlooms. Cloth can be produced by three ways: using handloom, power loom, and mills. Mill sector falls under organized sector, where as the handloom and power looms fall under unorganized sector. The supply chain in this unorganized sector is different and not given any importance. The main aim of the study is to examine the relationship between supply chain management practices and production performance in Indian handloom industry. Data is collected from the master weavers of Undivided State of Andhra Pradesh and analysed using structural equation modeling. The study found that there is a relationship between the supply chain management practices and production performance.

Access to income through home-based activities is important for empowering
disadvantaged groups of society, especially women. The present paper seeks
to analyze the extent of empowerment of women engaged in the handloom
sector in Assam in North Eastern India. Our study refines five
empowerment indicators of economic, social, and cultural relevance, such
as decision-making ability, freedom of movement, ownership of assets and
income, male preference, and domestic violence. This is based on primary
survey data collected from 328 married women from six districts of Assam
to examine how engagement in handloom activities empowers them.
Results indicate the existence of spatial variations as well as gaps in
women’s empowerment. The parsimonious regression results show that age,
educational attainment, income from handloom activities, and government
support have had positive influences. Engagement in the handloom
activities improves intra-household power relations significantly in favor of
women and thereby reduces preference for males and domestic violence.
The study urges that there should be better policies to facilitate women in
accessing productive resources, especially financial ones. Micro-finance
institutions can be encouraged to promote women’s active participation in
home-based activities, which in turn should improve the overall
empowerment of women.

Based on the primary data collected from 471 respondents, this paper analyses the determinants of entrepreneurship developments in the handloom industry in Assam separately for male versus female, and rural versus urban respondents. Work experience has a positive influence in the female entrepreneurship development while distance to the nearest business center has a negative influence. The gender effect is nullified in both the rural and urban entrepreneurship development. Work experience and education play a crucial role in entrepreneurship development in the rural areas compared to that in the urban areas. The study suggests for the development of rural handloom markets which will further develop the handloom micro-entrepreneurship.

This book offers an innovative examination of how 'low-technology' industries operate. Based on extensive fieldwork in India, the book fuses economic and sociological perspectives on information sharing by means of informal interaction in a low-technology cluster in a developing country. In doing so, the book sheds new light on settings where economic relations arise as emergent properties of social relations. This book examines industrial innovation and microeconomic network behaviour among producers and clusters, perceiving knowledge diffusion to be a socially spatial, as much as a geographically spatial, phenomenon. This is achieved by employing two methods-simulation modelling and (quantitative, qualitative, and historical) social network analysis. The simulation model, based on its findings, motivates two empirical studies-one descriptive case and one network study-of low-tech rural and semi-urban traditional technology clusters in Kerala state in southern India. These cases demonstrate two contrasting stories of how social cohesion either supports or thwarts informal information sharing and learning. This book pushes towards an economic-sociology approach to understanding knowledge diffusion and technological learning, which perceives innovation and learning as being more social processes than the mainstream view perceives them to be. In doing so, it makes a significant contribution to the literature on defensive innovation and the role of networks in technological innovation and knowledge diffusion, as well as to policy studies of Indian small firm and traditional technology clusters. Anant Kamath is currently faculty at

Cotton textiles of every sort - fine, superfine and coarse - were once manufactured in abundance in the province of Bengal. The produce of the looms not only fully met the internal demand of her population but was also exported to distant lands where it was held in high esteem. The extraordinary diffusion of the industry throughout the province that made possible surplus production had its abrupt end in the first half of the nineteenth century. According to Vera Anstey, the decline continued throughout the nineteenth century. Among the causes of its decline were the oppression of the East India Company's servants on the weavers, the iniquitous tariff policy of the colonial government both in England and in India and the industrial revolution. Other causal factors that have been mentioned are the disappearance of the regal courts in India and the slow, laborious and wasteful methods followed in the manufacture of cotton fabrics by handloom weavers. The decline naturally resulted in the loss of a time-honoured hereditary profession in which millions were employed. Most members of the weaving caste either lost their job or became destitute.

In this paper, however, we intend to focus our attention solely on the cotton textile industry of Bengal from 1900 till the end of the colonial period in 1947. In other words, we shall be looking both at the cotton mill industry of the province that was set up as a result of emergence of modern factory system in India as well as at the handloom industry, Thus by avoiding a fragmentary study, we shall have a complete glimpse of the cotton textile industry as a whole. We shall then also be able to evaluate the contribution of each branch of the textile industry to the economy of Bengal.

from SHUTTLE, SPINDLE & DYEPOT, Vol. XXI No. 1, Issue 81 (Winter 1989/90), 20-25.
An article about the Sri Lankan textile designer, Barbara Sansoni, and her contributions to handloom weaving as an apt occupation for village girls and a source of craft and color understanding for herself. The magazine is published by the Handweavers Guild of America, Inc.