“Our Weavers are the Soul of our Cultural Heritage”: Pradeep Bal Samanta.

Bhubaneswar, Date: 05/08/25: “The weavers of Odisha are the soul of our cultural heritage. Our handloom is not just a piece of cloth, it is a legacy. Odisha handlooms weave heritage,” said Handlooms, Textiles, and Handicrafts Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta. He made this statement today at a press conference held at the State Guest House, organized in connection with the upcoming National Handloom Day 2025 and the ‘EKTA’ Celebration.

The State-Level National Handloom Day 2025 will be observed on August 7. Following this (EKTA- Exhibition cum Knowledge Sharing for Textile Advantage) programme will be organized on August 8 and 9 & a mega Handloom and Handicraft Exhibition will be held at Janata Maidan, Bhubaneswar from August 7 to 13, 2025. Hon’ble Minister provided detailed information regarding these events at a press conference held today at the State Guest House.

The National Handloom Day will be inaugurated on August 7, 2025, by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi. Bollywood Diva Mrs. Madhuri Dixit Nene will also grace the occasion.

From August 7 to 9, cultural programs will be held every evening as part of the celebrations. These events will feature Odissi dance, Sambalpuri folk dance, contemporary dance performances, as well as fashion shows and laser show.

A Mega Handloom and Handicraft Exhibition will be organized from August 7 to 13, showcasing Odisha’s rich weaving legacy and artisanal heritage. A total of 60 stalls, food court, play zone have been set up to display the diverse handloom and handicraft traditions of the state. More than 1,500 weavers from different parts of Odisha & weavers from more than 8 states will participate in the event. The event will feature seven knowledge sharing sessions, Live demonstration of weaving, a felicitation ceremony of State Handloom Award 2023-24, etc.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary Smt. Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, Director of Handlooms and Textiles, Shri Premchandra Choudhary, Additional Secretary Bikramaditya Barik, and other departmental officers were present at the press conference. Hon’ble Minister has extended a cordial invitation to the general public to actively participate in all the programs scheduled from August 7 to 13, and make the celebrations a grand success.