K is for Khaadi !

Khaadi – the hand spun cloth that was once such an integral part of India’s Freedom Struggle!

In our home Khaadi is not just a piece of cloth. It is a tradition, a reminder of a whole bygone era. My grandfather was very active in the freedom struggle and he resolved to always wear Khaadi in support of the Swadeshi movement. He even had a Charkha (spinning wheel) that he used, to spin cotton into thread. 

Mahatma Gandhi's Charkha at Sabarmati Ashram ! 

Till his dying day, My grandfather wore nothing but clothes bought at the Khaadi Bhandar. My images are of him always in a pure white Kurta Pyajama and a Khaadi Jacket that he used in winter. If he had to dress formally, He would wear a black Sherwani  on top of his Kurta. White kurtas pajamas - Crisp and starched and a Black Sherwani unadorned by anything except his pocket watch - It was the ultimate chic look. 

My cousin chose to wear the same attire on his wedding, disregarding the fancy Achakans and Sherwanis that Grooms favor these days. It was his way of honoring our grandfather. 

My aunts and Father wore Khadi for a while and then the lure of silk and chiffon was too much for my aunts ! 

The task of carrying on the Khaadi tradition fell on me! 

As long as I remember I have worn Khaadi. In the beginning I might have been influenced by my Grandfather. But then I genuinely found it to be very comfortable. Khaadi may seem like a rough cloth to many but for me it has a certain homey and snug feeling. Its a misconception that Khaadi jackets and kurtas come only in either white or a dull green. They come in all designs and colors and you have a lot to choose from!

The great thing about Khaadi is that it’s cool in summer and really warm in winter. I have lived my teens and university years in jeans and Khaadi Kurtas. I had, and still have kurtas of every color.  

Once I entered JNU my obsession with khaadi increased and when I added a Cotton Jhola to go with my attire I became an integral part of the JNU Jhola culture!

I use a lot of Khaadi Jackets in winter and believe me they are my saviors in the harsh Delhi winters. I think they look really ethnic and smart when worn with jeans and a full sleeved shirt or top. You can wear them with your Salwar Kameez as well ! Over the years my loyalty has shifted from Khadi Bhandars to Fab India. It’s been my favorite haunt since my University days! 

Khaadi is now considered the attire of intellectuals - Specially in Delhi. Someone wearing Khaadi is automatically labeled as either a journalist or a writer or someone in the field of arts like dramatics !

Khaadi may not be very popular among the general public these days but I do believe that it is a integral part of our legacy and something that we should not forget!