Handloom pieces have sentiments and memories attached to them. They’re often passed on from one generation to the other and preserved to be forwarded to the next.
National Handloom Day has a history that dates back to 1905. The purpose remains the same – to promote Swadeshi (local) goods. The day celebrates the works of artisans and weavers – the unsung heroes behind our beautiful wardrobes.
This year, many celebrities have come forward to celebrate this day by exhibiting their favourite works of handloom as well as make their voices heard in support of causes like #VocalForlLocal and #Vocal4Handmade.
Vidya Balan
Vidya Balan has an undying love for the handloom. She posted a picture of herself in a mustard-coloured Kanjivaram with pink checks all over to commemorate this day. She also writes, “On #NationalHandloomsDay let us all resolve to support our weavers across the country in these difficult times by buying and wearing their beautiful creations in our everyday life and also help keep #India’sHandloomLegacy alive. Appreciate the labour of love.”
Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Global citizen Priyanka loves her handloom pieces. The actress who has already been promoting local brands also lent support to the weavers by appreciating and promoting them through a post.
Kangana Ranaut
Kangana Ranaut came forward and urged her fans to #savetheweave. She says, “When you choose handloom you choose weavers who are struggling for their survival, you choose to be #vocslforlocal, you choose mother earth, and love for every single being on this planet.”
Sonam K Ahuja
Sonam Kapoor Ahuja celebrated National Handloom Day by wearing a monochrome saree look in her classic style. She praised the vibrance and diversity of Indian craftsmanship and asked her fans to lend support to the artisans in these trying times.
Sonu Sood
Sonu Sood, who has been a messiah for the needy off-late posted on Instagram to honour the handloom weavers in the country.
Taapsee Pannu
Taapsee Pannu writes that nothing makes her feel more beautiful than a saree. Alongside the caption, she also put a gorgeous picture of herself in a saree.
Janhvi Kapoor
Janhvi Kapoor shared a picture wearing her most special and favourite saree. She lauded the weavers and artisans in our country and called them the best in the world due to their unmatched in skill and creativity.
Shilpa Shetty Kundra
Shilpa Shetty Kundra shared a glimpse of her all-time favourite saree for National Handloom Day. She says that Indian handlooms sarees are a treasure to own. The artistry involved, their uniqueness, and the efforts invested make each piece so incredibly special. Shilpa also adds how our culture & heritage are so richly woven into them that owning & wearing one makes one feel extremely special.
Raveena Tandon Thadani
Raveena celebrated handloom by posting pictures of herself in her best pieces. She also urged her followers to support local artisans and weavers.
Neena Gupta
Neena Gupta celebrated National Handloom Day by donning a saree from the House of Masaba. She looked ethereal as always.
Dia Mirza
Dia Mirza posted a picture wearing a saree to celebrate the legacy and heritage of Indian weavers. She says, “There is nothing like a handloom saree”. Well, we cannot agree more!
Ashwini Iyer Tiwari
Ashwini Iyer posted a picture in a saree captioned, “Our handmade weaves from every corner of India create a sense of ownership for a long time. To all the talented weavers and textile experts who are striving everyday to save our weaves, innovate, create jobs & make rich, indigenous craft which we can proudly wear anywhere we are in the world, almost everyday.”
Sanya Malhotra 
Sanya Malhotra shared a picture in a saree sitting in the midst of flying sarees. A true handloom treat!
Radhika Madan
Radhika Madan posted a black and white picture in a saree, supporting all the artisans. She says, “Ain’t nobody like a desi girl!”. There truly ain’t one.
Masaba Gupta
Handloom has been a major part of Masaba Gupta’s design journey and she celebrated National Handloom Day donning one of her favourites.
(Contributed by Deblina Munshi)