To create awareness about Indian handloom amongst the youth, Handloom Utsav, a crafts fair started at the Handloom Marketing Complex, janpath in New Delhi from today.

Organized by the Department of Fabric and Apparel Science, Lady Irwin College, Delhi University, in collaboration with Office of Development Commissioner (Handlooms), the three-day fair will showcase handloom products by award winning artisans from all over India. People will also have an opportunity to see the live demonstrations of different types of handlooms such as Kani loom from Kashmir, Jaquard loom, backstrap loom from North-East and many more.

To attract youth to the fair, an array of competitive activities with attractive cash prizes has been organized, which includes fashion show competition, rangoli making, t-shirt painting, slogan writing, mehandi making, newspaper dresses, etc. the ministry of textiles, co-sponsor of the event said in a release.

Indian handlooms are known for their unique creativity and variety of colours and textures. The profession of handloom weaving has been an important occupation in Indian economy, promoting relationships both within and among different communities.

Renewed efforts are also being made at the national level to popularize handlooms, with the declaration of August seven as National Handloom Day.