Is khadi, the hand-spun fabric, out of fashion? A visit to Nanjaraj Bahadur Choultry in Mysore, where a 15-day Khadi and Village Industries’ Exhibition is under way, will reveal that the hand-spun fabric has a loyal clientele, which is only increasing with the addition of new converts.
While a couple was picking up khadi handkerchiefs for the family, two women were keen on picking up a few dress materials made of khadi silk.
Sudhakar, a resident of Mysore, who visited the expo, said khadi waistcoats appeared to be in good demand.
But, Thimme Gowda from Harihar Charaka and Gramodyoga Sahakara Sangha, Davangere, who had set up a stall, said there was an equal demand for almost all their readymade khadi garments.
Pointing to customers crowding the shops selling a variety of khadi goods, ranging from shirts, saris, towels, bed sheets, kurtas to dealers in leather belts, shoes, and other village industry consumables like papad, chips and other eatables, S.S. Kantharaj, Mysore District Officer of Karnataka State Khadi and Village Industries Board, said the exhibition had been witnessing huge crowds since expo began on October 20.
The speciality of Khadi garments, particularly the ones made of cotton, is that they are cool in hot weather and warm in cool weather, said Narasimhe Gowda, supervisor of Khadi Board in Mysore.
Most of the people, who come to the Khadi exhibition, buy goods unlike other exhibitions, where most visitors are window-shoppers, said Mr. Kantharaj. Claiming that the sales on Wednesday had crossed Rs. 12 lakh, he expressed optimism of the exhibition crossing last year’s figure of Rs. 124.29 lakh during the 15-day exhibition. This year, the exhibition will continue till November 3.
The number of stalls had gone up this year. “The demand was so huge that we had to turn away about 15 applicants,” Mr. Kantharaj said.
