India Unbound
Indian Attires
Every Indian outfit tells a story about its land, its weather and its weavers. Let's see how some favourite fabrics are made, from goat wool to flower stitches.
Did you know?
Khadi is cloth that is spun and woven by hand. Gandhiji asked Indians to wear it. It feels cool in summer and warm in winter!
Soft pashmina wool comes from goats in cold Ladakh. In spring, the wool is gently combed off, not cut!
Phulkari means 'flower work'. It is bright embroidery from Punjab, stitched from the back of the cloth!
Try this: Fabric Detective
Ask an adult to show you three different clothes from the cupboard. Feel each one. Is it soft, rough, thick or thin? Look for patterns: stripes, checks, flowers or dots. Ask an elder where each piece came from. Then draw your favourite pattern on paper and colour it in.
Go further: National Handloom Day
India celebrates National Handloom Day on 7 August. A handloom is a weaving machine worked by hand, not by electricity. The date remembers the Swadeshi movement, which began on 7 August 1905. It asked Indians to use things made in India. Near Hyderabad lies Pochampally, famous for its ikat saris. Its weavers tie and dye the threads in patterns before weaving!