GANDI JI KHADI AGAIN FROM VIHAR

GenY finds khadi ‘cool and trendy’

AAROHI KESHAV

A poster of the film Kurbaanshows Saif Ali Khan sporting a khadi attire Patna, Oct. 24: Khadi, once the signature apparel of writers, politicians and philosophers, has undergone a transformation to become a fashion fad for the young generation. The fabric has gained a global recognition, courtesy the fashion industry, which is promoting the fabric in a never before way. Khadi apparels are being worn by ramp models, displaying an array of outfits from bridal sarees to beachwear. The cloth has grabbed the fancy of international fashion designers too. Young politicians and Bollywood actors, sporting khadi attire, have also made the fabric popular among the youths. Khadi, in its new avatar, caters to the clothing needs of all, regardless of their economic status. It offers the customers a wide range of fabrics depending on their budget. Khadi is not just restricted to cotton. It blends with other fibres to make raw silk khadi, matka khadi, poly khadi, tussar silk, and many more. Also, khadi has undergone a transformation and become more colourful and feel-good fabric. It’s available in varied colours and prints, due to which the youths are finding it “cool and trendy”. Akash Sinha, a third-year college student, said: “I like wearing khadi. I can wear khadi kurtas with jeans on any occasion, be it a normal day in college or some party at a friend’s place.” He further added: “It gives me a lot of confidence as my attire is unique from that of my friends.” Most youths feel khadi shirts and kurtas go great with a pair of jeans and kolhapuri chappal (slippers). It is also an all-season fabric. It gives warmth in winter and keeps one cool in summer. Khadi silk, though a little expensive, gives a very elegant look. It is no more a fabric for the politicians. Younger generation believes it can also be worn as an informal wear. Raj Kumar, a khadi shop owner in Kankerbagh area, said: “Earlier, khadi was mostly preferred by the older generation or middle-aged men and women. Now, it is being demanded by the younger generation as well. College-going students visit my shop and ask for stitched kurtas.” The kurtas are economicall and at times available at discounted rates. This makes them more affordable for the college students. The prices of khadi kurtas start from Rs 125 onwards. Sonam Sharma, a chartered accountant, said: “Whenever I have to attend a meeting or meet clients, I make it a point to wear khadi sarees, as it gives a very elegant look and leaves an impact on people’s mind.” Khadi is hand-spun and hand-woven. Mahatma Gandhi had advised people to wear khadi instead of fancy foreign fabrics. He had described Swadeshi (country-made goods) as the soul and khadi as its body. Khadi is different from handloom in a way that it is completely handmade whereas yarns for the handloom fabrics are processed at mills. Yarns of khadi fabric are made through a spinning wheel called the charkha. Due to its price and rough feel, Khadi was not preferred by brand-conscious people but now the demand for khadi apparels have grown so drastically that even the million workers involved in the spinning process are unable to meet the market demand. Hema Kumar, a fashion designing student in Patna, said: “We get a lot of projects and each has to be different and unique from the other. I prefer to buy khadi fabric because of its earthy yet classy look, which makes it stand out in the crowd.” He further said: “Khadi materials are quite cheap as compared to other materials and are easily available too.” Earlier, the fabric was mostly available in government-sponsored Khadi Gram Udyogs. Now, a number of garment shops have started selling khadi clothes as the demand for the fabric has soared. Big garments brands like Fabindia are involved in selling clothes made of khadi and their client base includes customers from all sections of society.