CHENNAI, OCT 13
To enhance the socio-economic status of village communities like handloom weavers, producing and using indigenous goods and services, Gandhigram Trust, which was established in 1947 under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi, is launching ‘Samhita,’ contemporary khadi ready-made apparels on Friday, the 20th of October, 2023 at The Folly, Amethyst in Chennai, the Trustees announced here on Thursday.
“The Trust was looking into options to help expand Khadi usage and keep their spinners and weavers going. Khadi is a versatile fabric and expanding the Khadi range to readymade garments that would suit the taste of the urban, new age Indian women and men was seen as a good opportunity. Hence was born the idea of “Samhita” – a collection of contemporary Khadi clothing that are 100% hand-spun and hand-woven. Over the last many months, Gandhigram has been working closely with the Centre of Excellence for Khadi (COEK) and collaborating with leading fashion designers to bring alive the styles and patterns of Samhita,’’ said Shibu Shankaran, Deputy CEO of the trust.
The inaugural styles of the collection are now ready and the launch event is on the 20th of October, 2023 at The Folly, Amethyst in Chennai.
The garment line will be exhibited at the same venue on 20th and 21st of October from 11 am to 7:30 pm. Range on display includes tops, kurtas, dresses and jumpsuits for women, shirts and kurtas for men apart from saris, stoles, shawls, towels and dhotis.
The objective of the Trust is towards building an independent and self-reliant rural India. Khadi was the spirit behind the entire project. Since then the Trust has grown and today it supports many self-help groups, a hospital, an Ayurveda production centre, schools and orphanages. Keeping with the spirit of Gandhiji, khadi production is a key area of the Trust’s functioning. The Ambar Charkha is used to spin, and the yarn is then handwoven. The centre uses both chemical and natural dyeing processes. There are over three hundred artisans spread over five centres involved in spinning, weaving and dyeing. Saris, stoles, shawls, shirts, dhotis, towels and yardage are part of the current Khadi product range.
All garments on display have been carefully curated and are of the highest quality, sourced directly from skilled artisans and craftsmen and designed by leading designers.
Apart from the Khadi range, Gandhigram has a range of cottage industry products in personal care and foods as well as Ayurveda medicines.
Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to experience and purchase these traditional Indian products with a modern touch. All proceeds of the sale go towards Gandighram’s several developmental initiatives and causes.
This is only the start and Gandhigram has plans to expand the Samhita range going forward. The Trust looks forward to youngsters to buy trendy apparels and support to make this venture a success, the trustees said
All the products of Gandhigram are available at its own website https://shopkhadi.gandhigram.org/ and also at the leading e-Commerce platforms, said Mr. Shibu Shankaran.
Gandhigram products will be available at all KVIC depots: KVIC Chairman Manoj Kumar
In his recent visit to Gandhigram, the KVIC Chairman Manoj Kumar announced that the Gandhigram products will be made available at all newly launched KVIC depot at IIT Delhi and also KVIC depot across the country.
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