At The Saturday Club in Kolkata, the WICCI Arts Council, West Bengal, held their yearly commemoration of National Handloom Day, “Dharohar – A Heartfelt Tribute to the Artisans”. WICCI Arts honors the artistry of India’s handloom industry with this yearly event, which aims to conserve and advance the nation’s unique weaving traditions.

In keeping with the yearly custom, Dharohar 2025 included a beautiful handloom fashion walk in which prominent figures from many businesses walked the ramp dressed in traditional handloom suits and sarees to show support for India’s weaving community. The fashion event served as a symbolic act to honor weavers’ ongoing significance in contemporary India and to help them. Renowned Indian actress and model Richa Sharma graced the occasion, lending star power to the evening while expressing her appreciation for India’s rich handloom heritage and its workers.

The event was led by Paromita Ghosh, Regional President, WICCI Arts Leadership Council, and Anisha Singh Motwani, Vice President, WICCI West Bengal Arts Leadership Council.

Inspiring leaders from a variety of industries came together that evening, all dressed in traditional handloom clothing as a show of support for India’s artisan community.

The eminent personalities who walked the ramp were Sudeshna Roy, celebrated film director and actor; Dr. Rupali Basu, Chairperson at Home Health Care; IPS Santi Das, Additional Superintendent of Police; Manoshi Roy Chowdhury, Co-chairperson of Techno India Group; Seema Sapru, Principal at The Heritage School; Jayeeta Ganguly, Principal at SPK Jain Futuristic Academy.

The message of the evening—that handloom is not simply tradition but a movement—was given great resonance by their attendance and that of many other luminaries from the fields of governance, education, the arts, and social impact.

Beyond the fashion walk, Dharohar 2025 generated important conversations about the need for organized assistance and innovation in the handloom industry, the difficulties encountered by karigars in a fast-fashion economy, and sustainability in the craft sector.

Dharohar’s dedication to revitalizing the handloom story and providing craftsmen with the ecology and attention they deserve is strengthened with each edition. The WICCI Arts Council reaffirmed its commitment to protecting India’s textile legacy and empowering weavers.

Priyanka Dutta