“Khadi: The Fabric of India’s Tomorrow” – 1 –

I went to the current exhibition “Khadi: The Fabric of India’s Tomorrow – Homage to Martand Singh -“ at 21_21 DESIGN SIGNT in Roppongi.

Khadi is a type of cotton fabric that is still spun and woven by hand in regions across India. The process is all by hands and the origin dates back to the Indus civilization. They look all different, and warm and beautiful.

It is said that there are spinning wheels called Charkha in each house. There is a famous picture of Mahatma Gandhi with the wheels Charkha, Khadi is a symbol of Indian independence.
* Boycotting imported goods from Britain and wearing traditional Indian cotton clothes, which promotes the independence.

Spinning wheel

Gandhi spins a thread

You can watch the video that the students at the university in Gandhi’s hometown are spinning threads, the scene is very beautiful. The title is “The Beginning of The Day”, the students sit in a large auditorium wearing garments made of Kadhi. New day starts to meditate, sing and spin threads. It looks like they are engaged in prayer, the scene is mysteriously beautiful.

At this university, Gandhi’s idea of hand-spinning as a requirement of the national rebirth movements remains a cornerstone of its educational principles. Students are given Khadi woven when they graduate the university.

I was touched by the fabric Khadi which has beautiful stories of the history, cultural background, education, design and the identity.

Kadhi Cotton

Clothes made of Kadhi

I will introduce about the person who conveys Kadhi next time.

*Some of my texts are cited from the exhibition at 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT