Shillong, Aug 7: The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Shillong is celebrating National Handloom Pakhwada 2026 with a series of events from August 3 to 21, commemorating India’s rich handloom traditions while inspiring the youth to become custodians of the nation’s textile heritage.
The celebration brings together weavers, students, faculty members and craft enthusiasts in a collective effort to honour the legacy of Indian handlooms and reinforce the importance of preserving the diverse weaving traditions of the North East.
Inspired by the ideals of the Swadeshi Movement, which championed indigenous craftsmanship and self-reliance, the celebration honours handloom as a symbol of India’s cultural identity and sustainable future. One of the major highlights of the celebration has been a live weaving demonstration, inaugurated on August 3, where master weavers conducted live weaving demonstrations and interacted with participants, offering first-hand insights into traditional weaving techniques, indigenous materials and the cultural significance of handloom practices. The demonstration served as a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange between artisans and young learners. It witnessed participation from students of NIFT Shillong and St Mary’s College, Shillong.
Addressing the gathering, NIFT Director Brijesh Deore said, “The handloom sector is one of India’s greatest national assets. As responsible citizens of the nation, we have a collective responsibility to preserve and promote our indigenous textile traditions. At NIFT Shillong, we believe learning must connect students with weavers so that traditional knowledge can inspire contemporary innovation. It is the endeavour of NIFT to connect with weavers at various platforms and promote local to global.”
Lebaini Rymbai, founder of Eri Weave, reflected on her entrepreneurial journey of building a sustainable ryndia silk enterprise and securing a landmark investment on Shark Tank India. She encouraged students to view traditional crafts as opportunities for innovation, sustainable entrepreneurship and social impact. She emphasised on the importance of preserving indigenous weaving traditions while creating contemporary market opportunities that empower artisans and strengthen rural livelihoods.
The programme was also graced by Regina Sujai, a master weaver with over two decades of experience in ryndia handloom weaving. Renowned for her dedication to preserving Meghalaya’s indigenous weaving traditions, her presence amplified the importance of recognising the invaluable contributions of skilled artisans in sustaining India’s rich handloom heritage.
The National Handloom Pakhwada 2026 celebrations will continue until August 21, featuring photography and reel-making competitions, styling contests, natural dye workshops, painting and quiz competitions, heritage walks, cultural performances, exhibitions, and social media campaigns.
