Odisha university students to wear uniforms to preserve traditional Habaspuri fabric: Report

NEW DELHI: In a bid to encourage the young generation to use local handloom fabrics, the authorities of Kalahandi University have decided that the uniform of the students would be made of Habaspuri clothes. Fashion designer, Sujit Meher who designed from Habaspuri handloom fabric from Habaspuri handloom fabric will also be in-charge of producing and distributing them.

A total of 512 post graduate students will be wearing a purple kurta with a fish design and black colour trousers, while over 2,000 undergraduate students will be wearing green kurta made with the fabric, Times Of India reported. Habaspuri, a handloom fabric from Chicheguda of Kalahandi, is now struggling for existence for inadequate patronage and market support.

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Kalahandi University, vice-chancellor, Sanjaya Satpathy, said: “This is a small attempt which may boost the traditional Habaspuri handloom weavers.” “Habaspuri saree and fabrics have received the GI tag for their unique weave, design and production. It is an identity of Kalahandi district. As this art is dying, we are trying to revive it through different means. This uniform is also part of the revival process,” said Meher to Times Of India.

Habaspuri handloom has got a geographical indication tag in 2012-2013. Due to inadequate patronage, a number of the people of the weaving community in the district are leaving the profession and opting for other work which can fetch remunerative income, Satpathy said.

Other colleges including Sailabala Womens’ Autonomous College, Cuttack, have also introduced uniforms made up of Odissi handlooms