Visitors purchase garments at the khadi exhibition. (Below) Products on display. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, March 2: Once spun to display the self-reliance of Indians during the Freedom movement, khadi is being reinvented in a new avatar. The fabric that was falling on the popularity scale is back in fashion circles and the state-level exhibition organised by the Khadi and Village Commission that is on at Exhibition Ground has rekindled hope among artisans who make khadi items.

The exhibition that began on February 26 has more than 50 stalls that display products made by village industries as well as khadi garments spun by villagers from various districts in the state.

Organised by the Khadi and Village Commission, Government of India, visitors will find khadi dress material, kurtas, jackets, saris and many other fascinating items at the exhibition.

“While the charkha had become a national symbol when Gandhi-ji had campaigned for it, today, not many in the village continue the tradition of hand-weaving or spinning cotton,” says Hari, an artisan from Jeypore in Koraput district.

“However, there is a lot of demand in urban areas for khadi today. During exhibitions held across the country, customers look for both cotton and silk dress materials and even accessories such as bags,” he adds.

In fact, you will find a collection of jholas or traditional bags and ladies handbags in khadi at the exhibition. While some are dyed in various colours, there is also a range of bags that one finds in the conventional form of cotton khadi. Bedsheets, carpets, screens can also be found.

“Khadi keeps you cool in the summers and warm in the winters. This versatility has reaffirmed the following for the fabric, especially among employees in fields such as NGOs,” says an artisan from Khurda district.

“But the fabric is yet to become popular in the state,” he adds.

Visitors at the exhibition seemed to be impressed with the collection.

“I found the bags and dress material really affordable and priced low. There are many varieties available too,” said Sunita Patnaik, a homemaker.

“Khadi attire adds an intellectual touch to one’s appearance. Also, it is really comfortable wear. But there must be more such events to promote khadi in Orissa,” said Debasish Nayak, another visitor.

Other items available at the exhibition are handicrafts of wood and metal, pulses and edibles packed in villages and many accessories to decorate the house.

A live charkha spinning demonstration is also on at the fair that will continue until March 12.

“While thousands of Indians knew how to spin the wheel around 60 years ago, today we have hardly any idea how to hand-spin cloth. It’s good to see a demonstration here,” said Tamas Mohanty, a college student.