Khadi: Breaking historical shackles, the humble fabric now belongs to the future

Gandhi Jayanti is also about celebrating all things uniquely Indian, like khadi. Fashion experts and youngsters talk about why they love the fabric and tell us what makes it more relevant than ever.

For Mahatma Gandhi, khadi was symbolic of self-reliance, sustenance and hardwork. And, almost a century after his swadeshi movement propelled the nation to stand on its feet, the handspun and handwoven fabric continues to capture the zeitgeist of the generation.

With the rise of everything handcrafted in fashion, khadi, too, has seen a new lease of life. “A sense of peace, calm, and discipline — the spinning of the weaver’s wheel (charkha) aimed at spreading these emotions. But, after independence, khadi was neglected for many years, becoming a poor man’s fabric. But, now, with many contemporary designers and projects working with the fabric, khadi has evolved to become a luxury product. World over, people appreciate its imperfect perfection (the uneven, khaddar texture),” says designer Anju Modi, who works with khadi extensively.

Anju Modi has worked extensively with khadi.

“Khadi has evolved to become a cooler fabric because of its India quotient. The youth today relates it to a sense of patriotism, and to its ‘India proud’ factor. Also, Indian fashion industry has played a pivotal role in making khadi fashionable again,” says Sunil Sethi, president, Fashion Design Council of India, which has also promoted India’s rich heritage of khadi.

From ethnicwear to western dresses — khadi innovations are in abundance. Designers like Anita Dongre and Anavila Misra also work with the fabric.

Khadi is a key fabric not only because of the fashion factor, but because its production promotes sustainability. “Gandhiji believed that a cloth that creates employment and satiates hunger is beautiful. The same idea is relevant today because it’s the spinners and hand weavers, mostly from really weak sections of the society, who produce khadi. Nowadays, the question that is asked is: Who made your clothes? When the answer is ‘the most needful,’ you know that you have empowered someone,” says designer Rahul Mishra.

Upcoming film Padmavati also sees extensive use of khadi. Designer Rimple Narula (Rimple and Harpreet Narula are the costume designers for the film) says that while khadi has its place in history, the fabric belongs to the future too.

And, what does khadi mean to the youth? “I love to wear khadi —it is comfortable, and very fashionable according to me,” says 20-year-old student Kajal Kaushik . “When we’re proudly embracing fashion statements from the ’80s and ’90s then why not include something of our own? Khadi is highly popular again and is affordable too. I wear it with pride!,” says Nayanika Sircar, an 18-year-old Delhi University student.