Traditional Technique
Khadi is typically and traditionally created from hand processed, hand spun and hand-woven cotton, but it can also be crafted from silks, wools and other fibres. The term ‘khadi’ originates from the Hindi word ‘khad’ – the ground level pit where the weaver is seated and operates the loom with their hands and feet. Khadi production processes are largely untouched by time, and although the khadi technique was notably popularised by Gandhi in the early 20th century, khadi was produced and worn long before the Swadeshi movement. Protecting traditional handicraft and re-establishing its significance in the global marketplace is an essential means of conserving culture and ensuring that artisanal practices do not get lost to modern, mechanical methods.
Socially Beneficial and Low Environmental Impact
The khadi process stands to benefit society and the natural world on numerous levels; hand processing enables rural households to generate income domestically without the need for rural to urban migration – an increasingly prevalent and environmentally-straining pattern where people move to the cities in order to find work, often causing families to be separated. The khadi technique is widely recognised as having a low carbon footprint, much lower than that of modern, mechanical weaving processes. This is due to the fact that the khadi processing, spinning and weaving stages rely on human dexterity in lieu of energy-intensive and emission-heavy industrial weaving. Creating fabric with human power, instead of fuel also pollutes and wastes considerably less water, and the use of natural, biodegradable and renewable fibres stand to further reduce the environmental impact.