Kolkata, 7th August 2025 :
The WICCI Arts Council, West Bengal, in collaboration with The Saturday Club, marked National Handloom Day with its flagship celebration Dharohar – A Heartfelt Tribute to the Artisans. The event, hosted at The Saturday Club, was a vibrant showcase of India’s rich handloom heritage and a tribute to the craftsmanship of weavers across the country.
The annual tradition, Dharohar 2025, featured a graceful handloom fashion walk, where prominent personalities from varied industries walked the ramp in traditional sarees and suits. The fashion segment served as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge and support India’s artisan community, highlighting the relevance of handloom in modern India. The event was graced by noted actress and model Richa Sharma, whose presence amplified the celebration of India’s weaving legacy.
The evening was curated by Paromita Ghosh, Regional President of WICCI Arts Leadership Council, and Anisha Singh Motwani, Vice President of WICCI West Bengal Arts Leadership Council. Together, they brought together a powerful gathering of dignitaries from governance, education, arts, and social sectors, all dressed in handloom to express solidarity with India’s weavers.
Notable personalities who walked the ramp included filmmaker Sudeshna Roy, Dr. Rupali Basu (Chairperson, Home Health Care), IPS Santi Das (Additional Superintendent of Police), and Seema Sapru (Principal, The Heritage School), among others. Their participation lent weight to the message that handloom is not just a fabric but a cultural movement.
Ayesha Singh, Chairperson Arts & Culture Committee, The Saturday Club, emphasized the importance of platforms like Dharohar in preserving cultural heritage. “We believe it is important to create platforms that honour our artisans,” she said.
Speaking at the event, Paromita Ghosh reiterated, “Handloom is not just a craft it’s a legacy passed down through generations. With Dharohar, our aim is to give visibility to the weavers and ignite conversations around sustainability and cultural pride.”
Dharohar 2025 also fostered meaningful discussions on sustainability in the craft sector, the challenges faced by artisans in the fast-fashion era, and the need for structured support and innovation in the handloom industry. The WICCI Arts Council reaffirmed its commitment to empowering weavers and preserving India’s textile traditions.
