Tuhina Sahoo

Every year on August 7, India celebrates National Handloom Day to honour the country's rich handloom heritage and the millions of weavers whose craftsmanship keeps centuries-old traditions alive. The day commemorates the launch of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905 and serves as a reminder to promote indigenous handloom products while supporting the livelihoods of artisans.

In Odisha, where handloom weaving is deeply rooted in culture, the day is not just about celebrating exquisite textiles but also recognising the people who connect weavers directly with customers. One such entrepreneur isKalpana Panigrahi,a handloom saree reseller who has been promoting Odisha's traditional weaves since 2019.

For Kalpana, her venture began with a simple passion for handloom sarees.

"I started my handloom saree business in 2019 because of my love for traditional handloom. Soon after, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. It was one of the most difficult phases for everyone, especially for weavers. During that period, I continued selling handloom sarees online, which helped not only my business grow but also supported the income of many weavers," she said.

Over the last five to six years, Kalpana has built a loyal customer base through online sales. Her collection includes a wide variety of Odisha's finest handloom products such as Sambalpuri sarees, Ikat sarees, Sambalpuri cotton, habaspuri cotton, and premium silk varieties.

According to her, cotton sarees start from around ₹3,000, while premium silk and designer collections begin at approximately ₹6,000, offering customers authentic handcrafted weaves for different occasions.

Preserving heritage through fashion

On the occasion of National Handloom Day, Kalpana appealed to people to embrace traditional handloom products and support local artisans.

"We always focus on looking good, but we should also value our tradition. By choosing handloom, we are preserving our culture and supporting the hardworking weavers behind every weave. I urge everyone to promote handloom and encourage our weaving community," she said.

During a visit to Handloom Fab 2026 at RTO ground Chandrasekharpur, customers were seen exploring Odisha's rich textile heritage. One of them,Nirupama Sahoo, shared her appreciation for handcrafted fabrics.

"I was looking for a Bomkai Patta saree for an upcoming event, and I found an excellent collection here. I loved the colours and elegant designs. The beauty of handloom lies in its simplicity and timeless elegance. Preserving our culture is extremely important, and I always prefer buying handloom sarees and other handloom products for special occasions," she said.

She also revealed that her wardrobe includes several pure cotton and silk handloom outfits, reflecting her growing preference for sustainable and traditional clothing.