03/10/2023
The history of handloom in Bangladesh........
The history of handloom in Bangladesh is very old and rich. Handloom is a traditional method of weaving fabrics by hand, using a wooden device called a loom. Handloom fabrics are known for their unique designs, vibrant colors, and fine quality. They reflect the diversity and creativity of the Bangladeshi people, who have been practicing this art for centuries.
According to some sources, the earliest record of handloom weaving in Bangladesh can be traced back to the 1st century AD¹. Bangladesh was once famous for its artistic textile production throughout the world. Over the years, several types of handloom fabrics evolved in the country, mostly by the indigenous weavers. Some of the most famous handloom fabrics of Bangladesh are:
- Muslin: A fine, transparent cotton fabric that was highly valued by the Mughals and the Europeans. Muslin was produced in Dhaka and other parts of Bengal from the 16th to the 18th centuries. It was known for its exquisite texture and delicate patterns. Muslin was also called as "woven wind" or "woven air" by the Romans².
- Tant: A crisp and stiff cotton fabric that is used to make sarees, three-pieces, and salwar-kameezes. Tant is mainly produced in Shantipur, Tangail, Dhaka, and other districts of Bangladesh. Tant sarees are popular for their bright colors, floral motifs, and striped borders³.
- Khadi: A coarse and durable cotton fabric that is spun and woven by hand. Khadi has a long history in Bangladesh and was promoted by Mahatma Gandhi as a symbol of self-reliance and independence. Khadi is used to make various garments, such as kurtas, panjabis, lungis, and gamchas⁴.
- Rajshahi silk: A fine and lustrous silk fabric that is produced in Rajshahi and other parts of Bangladesh. Rajshahi silk is known for its softness, smoothness, and durability. It is used to make sarees, shawls, scarves, and other accessories⁵.
- Jamdani: A loom-figured muslin fabric that is decorated with intricate floral or geometric designs. Jamdani is one of the most sophisticated and expensive handloom fabrics of Bangladesh. It is considered as a heritage of Bangladesh and a masterpiece of human creativity by UNESCO.
These are some of the examples of the beautiful and diverse handloom fabrics of Bangladesh. The handloom industry is not only a source of income for many rural weavers, but also a way of preserving the culture and heritage of Bangladesh. The handloom industry faces many challenges, such as competition from machine-made fabrics, lack of modern technology, low wages, and poor working conditions. However, there are also many initiatives to revitalize the handloom industry and support the weavers, such as government policies, cluster development, marketing strategies, social welfare measures, and consumer awareness. By shopping at M&S Fashion BD, you are not only getting a fashionable outfit, but also contributing to the preservation of Bangladeshi culture and heritage. M&S Fashion BD sources its fabrics directly from the weavers, ensuring fair prices and ethical practices. It also educates its customers about the stories behind each product, such as the origin, the meaning, and the significance of the patterns and motifs.
I hope this answer has given you some insight into the history of handloom in Bangladesh. If you want to learn more about this topic, you can visit some of these websites¹²³⁴⁵. Thank you for your interest in M&S Fashion BD. 😊
Source: Conversation with Bing, 03/10/2023
(1) Historical analysis of Bangladesh Handloom: Glorious past and .... https://textilefocus.com/historical-analysis-bangladesh-handloom-glorious-past-catastrophic-present/.
(2) Textile arts of Bangladesh - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textile_arts_of_Bangladesh.
(3) Current Scenario of Weaving Industry in Bangladesh. https://textilelearner.net/weaving-industry-in-bangladesh/.
(4) Everything you need to know about the Bengal cotton handloom tant sari .... https://www.vogue.in/fashion/content/bengal-cotton-tant-sari-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-handloom-weave.
(5) Revitalization of Handloom Communities for Preserving the Craft .... https://sciencepublishinggroup.com/journal/paperinfo?journalid=242&doi=10.11648/j.urp.20200501.11.
