My New Book on Indian Saris

My new book on Indian Saris is out. This is the second volume. Please let me know your feedback.

 

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Basic Quality Parameters of Handloom Products including Sarees

India Handloom is an initiative by the Ministry of Textile to bring the best of the handloom products to the users. They have produced a table of the basic quality parameters of the handloom fabrics, specifically sarees. 

It is useful for buyers of traditional sarees who would like to know the quality parameters such as count, constructions, length, width and fabric for Indian traditional sarees. 

7 August is celebrated as the National Handloom Day. 

To download, you can go to this link or  this link.

They have also published a list of registered users which can be a treasure for any sourcing professional.

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Charkha or Hand Spinning Wheel

Charkha is not only synonymous with Khadi, it is also the soul of Indian Subcontinent. It reminds one of the good old villages and the simple life there. One cannot just love but feel from one's core this heart rendering song from Ustad Nusrat Fatah Ali Khan in Punjabi. I have give the translation in English.

Listen to this song from great mastero here...

Translation ( Source)

Listen oh sound of the spinning wheel I remember my love, my heart laments for my beloved... 

When will the new moon of my love rise When will you come home beloved Sorrows are intolerable and life hopeless...

 when beloved arrives I will rejoice I will unfurl my glances in his direction This separation is life threatening ...

 relatives have started hurting with their words do write letter with the date of your arrival dark night bites hurting with its sting...

my tears keep flowing constantly as I gather the thread spundo not like laughter these days how can I forget his behavior...

Charkha is embedded in the Sufism of our subcontinent, from Kabir to now...it is a source of inspiration of many songs. Listen to this song from Lakhwinder Wasdali and Puran Sing

This is an ode to Charkha from Rahet Fatah Ali Khan

A Beautiful song from Harjit Harman

And of course - there is a spinning wheel at every corner ( Chappa Chappa Charkha Chale)

There are many, the fact remains that spinning wheel has penetrated deep from culture to our hearts.

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