Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh is poised to host a National Mega Handloom Exhibition that aims to highlight India’s rich handloom heritage and create new market avenues for artisans, especially from the Uppada handloom community. The announcement was made by Member of Parliament Tangella Uday Srinivas, who secured approval from the Union Ministry of Textiles after proposing the idea to central authorities. The exhibition will be organised under the National Handloom Development Programme, aligning policy support with grassroots cultural economy initiatives.
Situated in a region historically known for intricate weaving traditions, the event is designed to celebrate and strengthen the handloom sector. Kakinada’s handloom products, notably the world-renowned Uppada sarees, stand as symbols of artisanal excellence and cultural identity. By offering a national platform for weavers to display their craft, the exhibition is expected to attract buyers, designers, and textile enthusiasts from across India, expanding both visibility and commercial opportunities for local artisans.
The exhibition comes at a time when India’s handloom sector is undergoing a transformation driven by policy interventions and modernisation. Initiatives under the National Handloom Development Programme incentivise technological adoption and productivity enhancements while preserving traditional craftsmanship. These changes are helping the sector become more competitive and appealing to contemporary markets, reversing years of stagnation and strengthening supply chains.
For Kakinada, the upcoming mega exhibition is not just a cultural event but a milestone for economic inclusion. It is poised to generate significant demand for handloom products, catalysing local employment, encouraging youth participation, and enhancing exports potential. Events of this scale provide weavers with direct access to national buyers, break intermediaries, and set the stage for sustainable growth beyond regional sales channels.
Government and industry stakeholders are also hopeful that the event will attract attention to traditional textiles as part of India’s broader “Vocal for Local” mission. By connecting the heritage craftsmanship of Kakinada’s weavers with modern retail networks and institutional buyers, the exhibition seeks to reposition handloom not as a niche cultural artefact but as a viable commercial product in India’s booming fashion and lifestyle market.
As the dates draw near and organisational efforts gather pace, Kakinada’s National Mega Handloom Exhibition stands out as a significant cultural and economic event—one that could redefine opportunities for weavers and reinforce the city’s position as a key node in India’s handloom landscape.
