Visitors at the khadi fair on Monday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Jan. 21: If you thought that khadi was coarse, dry fabric of yesteryears and completely unfashionable, think again.

Come Wednesday, khadi could well prove itself the fabric of the 21st century. Models, from across the country, draped in exquisite khadi creations will walk the ramp at the ongoing Khadi Fair at the Assam Engineering Institute playground.

Celebrity model Gauri Anand who was adjudged as the 2007 Femina Miss India — Miss Mermaid will take the centrestage at the fashion show. An official of Khadi and Village Industries Commission said the prime objective of organising the fashion show is do away with the mindset that people wear khadi to show patriotism or swadeshi spirit.

“Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite fabric khadi that was once considered the sign of patriotism is struggling to find its place in the modern world because of lack of patronage. But khadi has certainly come of age. Designers are using the fabric in innovative ways to bring a stunning effect to their creations. Wednesday’s fashion show will definitely promote khadi in a big way in Guwahati. Models will display various khadi products from across the country,” the official said.

The fashion show is being choreographed and designed by Prasantt Ghosh. During the show, 14 top models will hit the ramp to display beautiful and exquisite khadi outfits. A dance group from Calcutta will perform in between the show. A bridal round will be organised to showcase khadi as modern day bridal wear.

“There is an urgent need to educate the GenNext about khadi. As a fabric, khadi is very relevant to our times. It is an eco-friendly, non-synthetic and healthy material that makes good dressing sense. One does not have to be a patriot to wear khadi. It has become a style statement now, anyone even the most stylist person can opt for khadi designer wear,” the official said.

The 20-day khadi exhibition-cum-fair that started on January 17 has attracted a good crowd.

Rupam Saikia, who has put up a stall at the fair, said khadi kurtas and shirts have become hot favourites of the youths visiting the fair. Designer shirts and kurtas in bright hues are flying off the shelves.

At the fair, the Khadi Commission has organised workshops, which focus on and highlight the innovations in khadi and different modern techniques that are being employed to make khadi a modern fabric. It also plans to organise art and dance competitions for schoolchildren to promote khadi.

“Earlier when I heard or thought about khadi, the image of our kurta-pyajama clad politicians and grey-haired intellectuals would come to mind. After a visit to the khadi fair, I have changed my perception. I purchased three designers khadi shirts from the fair,” Anup Barua, a college student, said.