New Delhi, August 1: The Ministry of Textiles has announced that the 12th National Handloom Day will be celebrated on August 7, 2026, with a national-level function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre (RBCC) in New Delhi. The annual celebration is aimed at recognising India’s rich handloom heritage and honouring the millions of weavers whose craftsmanship continues to preserve traditional textile art while contributing significantly to the country’s economy.

President Droupadi Murmu will attend the programme as the Chief Guest. The event will also be attended by Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita, Secretary (Textiles) Neelam Shami Rao and Development Commissioner (Handlooms) Dr. M. Beena, highlighting the government’s continued focus on promoting India’s handloom sector.

The national function will bring together award-winning handloom artisans, representatives from the textile industry, government officials, members of the Awards Selection Committee, media representatives and distinguished guests from across the country. The gathering is expected to celebrate not only India’s centuries-old weaving traditions but also the role of artisans in preserving cultural identity through handcrafted textiles.

National awards to honour excellence in handloom weaving

One of the most important highlights of this year’s programme will be the presentation of the 2025 Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and the National Handloom Awards. These awards recognise outstanding handloom weavers who have demonstrated exceptional skill, creativity, innovation and dedication towards preserving India’s traditional weaving techniques.

According to the Ministry of Textiles, a total of 22 awards will be presented during the ceremony. These include three Sant Kabir Handloom Awards, regarded as the highest recognition in India’s handloom sector, and 19 National Handloom Awards, which honour artisans for excellence in different categories of handloom craftsmanship.

The award ceremony is expected to celebrate the contribution of master weavers from different regions of India, many of whom have spent decades preserving traditional weaving methods while adapting them to changing consumer preferences. By recognising their achievements at the national level, the government aims to encourage future generations to continue practising India’s diverse handloom traditions.

National celebration to bring together the entire handloom community

The Ministry has planned broad participation for the event, inviting Sant Kabir Handloom Award and National Handloom Award recipients along with their family members. Handloom weavers representing different states and weaving clusters will also attend the celebration, providing an opportunity to showcase the diversity of India’s textile heritage on a common platform.

Senior government officials, members of the Awards Selection Committee and representatives from the handloom sector will join the programme, making it one of the most significant annual events dedicated to India’s traditional textile industry. The presence of policymakers, artisans and industry representatives reflects the government’s efforts to strengthen cooperation across different segments of the handloom ecosystem.

National Handloom Day has evolved into more than a ceremonial occasion. Over the years, it has become a platform to recognise the economic, cultural and social contribution of India’s weaving community while drawing greater public attention to the importance of preserving traditional handloom crafts.

The celebration also highlights the continued relevance of handloom products in modern markets, where handcrafted textiles remain valued for their artistic quality, sustainability and cultural significance. Through such national recognition, the Ministry seeks to encourage wider appreciation of India’s indigenous weaving traditions and the communities that continue to keep these skills alive.

President Droupadi Murmu to Lead National Handloom Day Celebrations

The 12th National Handloom Day celebration will be graced by President Droupadi Murmu as the Chief Guest at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre (RBCC) in New Delhi. Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita, Secretary (Textiles) Neelam Shami Rao, and Development Commissioner (Handlooms) Dr. M. Beena will also attend the event.

The programme will bring together award-winning handloom weavers, artisans, members of the Awards Selection Committee, industry representatives, senior government officials, media professionals and invited guests from across the country. The gathering aims to recognise the immense contribution of India’s weaving community to the country’s cultural identity and economic development.

22 National Awards to Honour Outstanding Weavers

One of the biggest highlights of this year’s celebration will be the presentation of the prestigious Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards 2025. The government will honour 22 exceptional handloom weavers, including three Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and nineteen National Handloom Awards.

These awards recognise excellence in craftsmanship, innovation, design, traditional weaving techniques and the preservation of India’s centuries-old textile heritage. The recipients represent different states and weaving traditions, reflecting the diversity and richness of India’s handloom sector.

Special Stamps and New Publications to be Released

The Ministry of Textiles will also release four commemorative postage stamps dedicated to India’s rich handloom traditions. These special stamps are expected to showcase unique weaving styles from different regions and promote awareness of India’s textile heritage.

Alongside the stamp release, two important publications will be unveiled. These include Earth. Root. Thread – Aal Dyed Handloom Textiles of Central India, which documents traditional natural dyeing practices, and the Handloom Awards Book 2025, highlighting the achievements and stories of this year’s award-winning artisans.

Exhibition and Live Weaving Demonstrations to Showcase India’s Textile Heritage

Visitors attending the National Handloom Day celebrations will also get an opportunity to explore an exclusive exhibition featuring award-winning handloom products created by master weavers from different parts of the country. The exhibition aims to highlight the creativity, craftsmanship and diversity of India’s traditional textile sector while giving visitors a closer look at some of the country’s finest handmade fabrics.

To make the experience more interactive, artisans will conduct live demonstrations of traditional Kani weaving and Wall Hanging weaving techniques. These demonstrations will allow visitors to witness the intricate weaving process, understand the time and skill required to produce handcrafted textiles, and appreciate the generations of knowledge preserved by India’s weaving communities.

Series of Nationwide Programmes Planned Around National Handloom Day

Apart from the main event in New Delhi, the Ministry of Textiles has planned several programmes across the country to mark the occasion. These activities include handloom exhibitions, designer conclaves, awareness campaigns and educational programmes involving the Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology (IIHTs).

The objective of these initiatives is to strengthen collaboration between traditional artisans, designers, entrepreneurs and educational institutions while encouraging innovation without compromising India’s rich weaving traditions. The programmes are also expected to create greater awareness among younger generations about the importance of supporting indigenous handloom products.

Handloom Sector Continues to Support Millions of Livelihoods

India’s handloom industry remains one of the country’s largest providers of sustainable rural employment. According to official data, the sector supports the livelihoods of more than 35 lakh people across the country. Women account for over 70 percent of the workforce, making the handloom industry one of the most significant sources of employment and financial independence for women in rural India.

Beyond employment generation, the sector contributes to preserving regional identities through unique weaving traditions, supports environmentally sustainable production methods and promotes the use of natural fibres and handcrafted techniques. These qualities continue to make Indian handloom products popular both in domestic markets and internationally.

Why National Handloom Day is Celebrated on August 7

National Handloom Day is observed every year on August 7 to commemorate the launch of the Swadeshi Movement on August 7, 1905. The movement encouraged Indians to promote indigenous industries and reduce dependence on imported goods during the freedom struggle. Handloom weaving became one of the strongest symbols of self-reliance and economic empowerment during that period.

Recognising this historical significance, the Government of India began celebrating National Handloom Day in 2015. Since then, the annual observance has honoured the dedication of handloom weavers, promoted awareness about India’s textile heritage and reinforced the government’s commitment to preserving, promoting and sustainably developing the country’s handloom sector for future generations.

Source: DD India