Keralites in UK to showcase traditional handloom attire and culture at Saree walkathon on Aug 6

By A Staff Reporter

LONDON July 31: Keralites in the UK are gearing up to be part of the Saree walkathon being organised in London on August 6 to celebrate the National Handloom Day of India which falls on 7th August.

On the 6th August, around 500 women are set to make history by walking in handloom sarees past iconic landmarks in London. They will be representing the colours and weaves of India and the regional states. The National Handloom Day connects with the independence struggle when Mahatma Gandhi launched the Swadeshi movement to encourage the indigenous weavers of India.

The event is organised by the British Women in Sarees group, a not-for-profit organisation and is supported by the Inspiring Indian Women Group.

The walkathon will begin at Trafalgar Square from 1pm and will proceed to Downing Street (1:15 pm – 1:40pm) and then proceed to the Parliament square (2-2:300pm) where there will be a short performance by various states including Kerala followed by offerings of prayers to Mahatma Gandhi.

Dr Dipti Jain a saree lover and one of the main organisers of this event had successfully organised Ascot event last year where colourful sarees met traditional British pageantry and elegance. Dr Jain, believes in redefining saree as a tool of empowerment in more ways than one.

The Kerala team include about thirty participants in the walkathon and also as volunteers and traffic marshals. It is coordinated and led by Dr Hema Santhosh, Dr Deepa Hedge and Shirley Gibson. They are strongly and enthusiastically supported by Dr Sukumaran Nair, Patron of KALA (a charitable organisation promoting Kerala Arts and literature) Dr Nair and his wife Dr Sethulekshmy are handloom lovers themselves.

The Kerala team will be donning handloom settu mundu and sarees by traditional kaithari like Karimpuzha, Balaramapurma, Chendamangalam, and Kuthumpally.

Karimpuzha weaver Ranjitha whose settu Mundu will be worn by three participants at the Saree Walkathon in London on August 6

Speaing to this website about focus on Kerala participation, Dr Santhosh said: “As a coordinator I did a lot of research into the various small scale handloom weavers in Kerala and their life stories. It was an eye opener”.

Dr Hema Santhosh also remarked that now when she looks at a handloom saree she sees more than the colours and the pattern. She sees the passion and craftsmanship of the weavers but more importantly weaving as a means of livelihood and self-reliance.

Dr Sukumaran Nair and his team of supporters will be on the sidewalk wearing traditional Kerala kaithari on the day.

After the march the Kerala team will be performing a traditional vanchipattu to symbolize the traditions of Kerala such as the boat races held during the traditional Onam festival in August which will be followed by the national anthem and prayers to Mahatma Gandhi.

Those who wish to be part of the Kerala contingent at the Saree Walkathon on Aug 6 in London need to email hemasanthosh@btinternet.com