Stories

On the occasion of National Handloom Day, the Government of Odisha organised Event Ekta 2025, a special programme dedicated to exploring entrepreneurship opportunities in the handloom sector. The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of the weaving community to discuss the future of handloom, innovation within traditional crafts, and new pathways for sustainable growth. We are proud to share that our Hon’ble Managing Director, Shri Brahmananda Meher, representing Arundhati Bandhakala, was invited as a Guest Speaker at this prestigious gathering. During the session, he shared insights from the journey of Arundhati Bandhakala, highlighting the importance of building strong ecosystems that support artisans while preserving the authenticity of traditional crafts. He spoke about the role of entrepreneurship in strengthening the handloom sector, creating sustainable livelihoods for weavers, and connecting traditional textiles with modern markets. Through initiatives such as Arundhati Bandhakala, efforts have been made to develop a structured platform that brings together artisans, designers, and production systems to showcase Odisha’s renowned weaving traditions, including Bandha (Ikat) and Bomkai, to wider national and international audiences. His participation at Event Ekta 2025 reflects the growing recognition of these efforts and reinforces the importance of collaboration between government institutions, industry leaders, and artisan communities in shaping the future of the handloom sector. The invitation to speak at this significant event marks another proud moment for Arundhati Bandhakala, reaffirming our commitment to empowering weavers, nurturing craftsmanship, and strengthening Odisha’s rich handloom heritage.

Arundhati Bandhakala continues to take Odisha’s rich weaving traditions beyond national boundaries through meaningful global engagements. As part of this effort, Mr. Radheshyam Meher, an expert in weaving Bandha (Ikat) and Bomkai, represented Arundhati Bandhakala in Copenhagen, Denmark, for a specialised training programme on Ikat weaving. The seven-day session focused on sharing the intricate techniques and traditional knowledge behind the Bandha weaving process, one of Odisha’s most celebrated textile arts. During the programme, Mr. Meher demonstrated the detailed stages of Ikat weaving—from the precise tying and dyeing of threads to the final weaving process that brings the design to life on the loom. The training programme created an opportunity for international participants to gain a deeper understanding of the craftsmanship, patience, and skill involved in traditional Indian handloom practices. It also highlighted the cultural significance and technical complexity of Odisha’s weaving heritage. Through such global exchanges, Arundhati Bandhakala continues to play an important role in promoting and preserving traditional weaving knowledge while building cultural connections across borders. The participation of Mr. Radheshyam Meher in Copenhagen reflects the growing international interest in Odisha’s handloom traditions and the expertise of the artisans who keep these crafts alive.

29th January 2025 marked an important milestone in the growth of Odisha’s handloom sector. During the Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave 2025, our Hon’ble Managing Director, Mr. Brahmananda Meher, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Odisha for the establishment of a Research and Development Centre along with a Trade Facilitation Centre for the Handloom Industry. This initiative is envisioned as a significant step towards strengthening innovation, research, and market access within the handloom sector. The proposed centres will focus on encouraging product development, design innovation, skill enhancement, and better trade opportunities for handloom products, further supporting the growth and sustainability of Odisha’s textile ecosystem. During the Utkarsh Odisha Expo held in Bhubaneswar, our Managing Director also addressed the distinguished gathering and served as the Keynote Speaker for the session titled “The Emerging Destination for Textile, Apparel and Handloom.” The session was held in the presence of Hon’ble Minister for Handlooms and Textiles, Shri Pradeep Bal Samanta, and brought together leaders from across the textile and apparel industry. The discussion featured several eminent dignitaries, including Smt. Roop Rashi, IA&AS, Textile Commissioner, Government of India; Shri Ahamadeen Malik, CEO, MAS Holdings, Sri Lanka; Shri Updeep Singh Chatarth, Director & CEO, Welspun World; Shri Suraj Kalra, CEO, EPIC Group; Shri R. K. Vij, Advisor, Indorama Synthetics; Shri R. P. Goel, Advisor (Trade), Shahi Exports; and Smt. Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, Government of Odisha. The occasion reflected the growing recognition of Odisha as an emerging destination for textiles, apparel, and handloom innovation. The MoU and participation in this significant conclave reaffirm Arundhati Bandhakala’s commitment to strengthening the handloom sector, fostering innovation, and creating new opportunities for artisans and the wider textile industry.

The Bhoomi Pujan and Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Arundhati Bandhakala Integrated Handloom Unit at Chhepapali, Subarnapur, marked an important milestone in the journey of strengthening Odisha’s handloom sector. The ceremony symbolised the beginning of a new chapter aimed at expanding opportunities for artisans while preserving the state’s rich weaving heritage. The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Member of Parliament, Shri Raghunath Jagadala, MLA, and Smt. Anya Das, District Magistrate of Subarnapur, along with several dignitaries and members of the local community. Their presence made the occasion both meaningful and inspiring, reflecting the collective commitment towards strengthening the handloom ecosystem of the region. The upcoming Arundhati Bandhakala Integrated Handloom Unit is envisioned as a significant initiative that will support artisans and create new economic opportunities in the region. Once operational, the project is expected to generate over 5,000 employment opportunities, contributing to the growth of the local economy while nurturing Odisha’s renowned handloom traditions. The ceremony was not only a formal beginning of a new infrastructure project, but also a celebration of the artisans whose skill and dedication continue to sustain the legacy of handloom weaving. Their craftsmanship remains the foundation upon which initiatives like Arundhati Bandhakala are built. Arundhati Bandhakala extends its sincere gratitude to the artisans, the people of Subarnapur, and all those who have supported this vision. This occasion stands as a proud and hopeful moment, reaffirming a shared commitment to preserving tradition while building a stronger future for Odisha’s handloom community.

Arundhati Group is proud to share that our Honourable Managing Director, Shri. Brahmananda Meher, has been conferred with the prestigious “Odisha Nirmana Samman” at the Odisha Nirmana Conclave 2025, organised by the Sambad Group. The honour recognises his inspiring leadership and contribution towards strengthening Odisha’s handloom heritage through the initiative Arundhati Bandhakala. Under his guidance, Arundhati Bandhakala has emerged as an important platform for promoting and sustaining traditional weaving practices across Odisha. With a strong focus on supporting weaving communities, the initiative works closely with artisans to preserve the rich textile traditions of the state while creating meaningful livelihood opportunities. Today, Arundhati Bandhakala operates within a 10-acre weaving campus with nearly 3,000 looms, bringing together weavers, dyers, designers, and technicians who work collectively to create handwoven textiles rooted in Odisha’s cultural heritage. The initiative continues to showcase iconic weaves such as Bandha (Ikat) and Bomkai, presenting them to a wider national and international audience. The felicitation ceremony was attended by several distinguished personalities including Shri Ashutosh Ji, Swami Sarvapriyananda Ji, Ms. Tanaya Patnaik, and Shri Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, whose presence made the occasion even more meaningful. This recognition marks a proud moment for Arundhati Group and for the many artisans whose dedication keeps Odisha’s weaving traditions alive. It reaffirms our continued commitment to preserving handloom heritage and taking Odisha’s remarkable textile legacy to the global stage.