Dharohar 3.0 : WICCI Arts in association with The Saturday Club celebrates National Handloom Day with a Power-Packed Fashion Walk

The WICCI Arts Council, West Bengal, marked National Handloom Day with its annual celebration, “Dharohar – A Heartfelt Tribute to the Artisans”, at The Saturday Club, Kolkata. This annual event is WICCI Arts’ tribute to the craftsmanship of India’s handloom sector and aims to preserve and promote the rich weaving traditions of the country.
As part of the annual tradition, Dharohar 2025 featured a graceful handloom fashion walk, where eminent personalities from across industries took to the ramp in traditional handloom sarees and suits to express solidarity with India’s weaving community. The fashion showcase was a symbolic gesture to support weavers and acknowledge their continued relevance in modern India. The event was graced by Richa Sharma, renowned Indian actress and model, whose presence added star power to the evening while sharing her admiration for India’s rich handloom legacy and the artisans behind it.
The event was led by Paromita Ghosh, Regional President, WICCI Arts Leadership Council, and Anisha Singh Motwani, Vice President, WICCI West Bengal Arts Leadership Council. Together, they curated an evening that blended fashion, heritage, and advocacy. The evening saw an inspiring gathering of influential personalities from diverse fields, each donning traditional handloom attire to express solidarity with India’s artisan community. Among those who walked the ramp were Sudeshna Roy, celebrated film director and actor; Dr. Rupali Basu, Chairperson at Home Health Care; IPS Santi Das, Additional Superintendent of Police; Manoshi Roy Chowdhury, Co-chairperson of Techno India Group; Seema Sapru, Principal at The Heritage School; Jayeeta Ganguly, Principal at SPK Jain Futuristic Academy. Their presence, alongside several other leaders from the spheres of governance, education, arts, and social impact, added powerful resonance to the message of the evening — that handloom is not just heritage, but a movement.
“We were delighted to partner with WICCI Arts for this celebration of Indian heritage,” said Ayesha Singh, Chairperson – Arts & Culture Committee, The Saturday Club. “As a Club that values cultural heritage and artistic expression, we believe it is important to create platforms that honour our artisans. Dharohar is a beautiful initiative that connects fashion with purpose.” Speaking on the occasion, Paromita Ghosh, Regional President, WICCI Arts Leadership Council, added, “Handloom is not just a craft — it’s a legacy passed down through generations. With Dharohar, our aim is to give visibility to the weavers and ignite conversations around sustainability and cultural pride. We’re deeply grateful to all the dignitaries who joined us in this collective tribute to India’s artisans.”
Beyond the fashion walk, Dharohar 2025 sparked meaningful discussions on sustainability in the craft sector, the challenges faced by karigars in a fast-fashion economy, and the urgent need for structured support and innovation in the handloom industry.
With every edition, Dharohar deepens its commitment to reviving the handloom narrative, while giving artisans the recognition and ecosystem they deserve. The WICCI Arts Council reaffirmed its dedication to empowering weavers and preserving India’s textile heritage.