Handloom weaving is a process of textile production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads – warp (longitudinal) and weft (lateral) are interlaced to form a fabric. The fabric is usually woven on a loom – a device that holds the warp thread while weft threads are woven through them.

The origin of weaving in India dates back more than 5000 years. The Indus civilization (around 2800 B.C.) had a well developed tradition and knowledge of textiles. Today, India is responsible for producing almost 95% of the world’s handwoven fabrics.

Khadi is one such kind of fabric which is hand-spun, converting the fiber into yarn using a Charkha (spinning wheel) and then weaving the yarn into fabric using looms. Handloom weaving is a highly repetitive process, and artisans are required to coordinate their movements in order to create a smooth weaving process. 

Various stages of weaving