Declining Weaver Communities: A Silent Crisis

Declining tradition of handmade fabrics

India’s handloom sector, once the pride of rural craftsmanship, is facing a silent but alarming decline. Despite being the second-largest employment sector after agriculture, the number of active weavers has dropped sharply over the past few decades.

According to the Fourth All India Handloom Census (2019–20), the number of handloom households fell to 31.4 lakh, down from 43.3 lakh in 1995—a decline of nearly 28%. The reasons are complex: poor wages, rising raw material costs, lack of access to modern markets, and competition from machine-made textiles have all contributed to the exodus.

Many weavers earn as little as ₹6,000–₹8,000 per month, making it difficult for younger generations to sustain the craft. As a result, youth in traditional weaving families are turning to other professions or migrating to cities in search of stable income. Regions once known for thriving handloom clusters—like Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu), Sualkuchi (Assam), and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)—have reported shrinking artisan numbers and abandoned looms.

The situation worsened during the pandemic when supply chains broke down, leaving thousands of weavers without work. NGOs and handloom brands have tried to revive interest through e-commerce platforms and fair trade initiatives, but the recovery remains slow.

If this trend continues, India risks losing centuries-old weaving traditions that are part of its cultural DNA. Supporting handloom is no longer just about fashion—it is about saving the very hands that weave our heritage into fabric.