“When we wear handmade, we carry the souls of those who made it”
This sentiment stood out to all of us who had the pleasure of visiting Kerala’s women artisans in their workspace, shared with us by Save the Loom’s founder, Ramesh Mennon, alongside the importance of highlighting those who tirelessly make the clothes and are taken for granted.
Speaking with the women in each co-operative workspace, they shared similar thoughts and experiences of weaving. Many of them had been weaving for over 40 years, learning from their family or neighbours in their younger years, not through school or college. What became clear to me was their aspiration for independence and pride in their handcrafted fabric, a feeling clearly not shared by society or their children. Moving from a largely male-dominated industry to largely female, the art of handcrafted fabrics and traditional clothing has become undervalued and therefore underpaid. Society has little respect for the enormous effort and care that is found only within the handcrafted sector, compared to the quicker, modern machine looms.
Walking into each workspace, the rhythmic, drum-like beat of the looms created a mechanical symphony, uniting each artisan in harmony, their melodic laughter floating through the dusty air. The workspace buzzed with immense energy, whole bodies involved in the process, from the tips of their toes to the constant mental concentration in their mind. Each weavers’ station is a microcosm of creativity. An invisible thread of unity and strength binds these weavers together, woven into intricate patterns into the very fabrics they create. These fabrics are more than just a garment to sell; they are the embodiment of steadfast tradition and perseverance.
Tough resilience exerted from each woman, having had their livelihood destroyed by the 2018 flood, and rebuilding back better. In the community of Chendamangalam, everyone relied upon their role in the hand-looming process for income, never knowing any other way to earn. The unprecedented, devastating floods almost completely destroyed the hand-looms and fabric dyeing equipment, leaving residents staring at the pieces of floating wood and cotton that once were their livelihood. The community banded together, with the support of Save the Loom, to rebuild and repair. While the effects of the floods are continually visible, topics of conversation revolved around the women’s aspirations, independence, challenges and joys.
Save the Loom’s goal is to preserve the art of hand-looming, of which the challenges are clear. The women artisans clearly do not want their children to enter the craft. This was initially surprising, considering the pride and community that is found within the weavers. However, due to the low pay, uncomfortable working conditions and with the status of weavers and the craft overall in huge decline, the women do not feel their own career is viable for their children.
The women artisans’ clear sense of determination, hard work and pride in their craft inspired us – a sentiment that should be shared with the world.