Event Highlights
Navyug Khadi Overview
Navyug Khadi marked a significant milestone for the Centre of Excellence for Khadi (CoEK), as Khadi collections designed by CoEK were retailed for the first time. Navyug Khadi aspires to channel a renewed identity for Khadi, that spoke to a younger, evolving India while honouring the traditions that shaped it.
From 28th November to 3rd December 2025, apart from exhibition and shopping from the khadi Institutions, visitors immersed themselves in hands-on workshops on hand spinning, natural dyeing and sari draping.
More than a retail experience, Navyug Khadi showcased Khadi not just as a fabric but as a movement, an idea, and a cultural legacy that continues to evolve.
This five-day event brought together academic exploration, hands-on learning, storytelling experiences and immersive retail to present Khadi as both a cultural legacy and a forward-looking design-led textile movement. Navyug Khadi successfully demonstrated how design, traceability, artisan collaboration and institutional partnerships can collectively build a future-ready ecosystem for Khadi.
Exhibition Overview
Navyug Khadi was curated as an immersive academic and experiential exhibition introducing the evolving narrative of Khadi. Beginning with a strong focus on traceability, the exhibition established trust while educating visitors on Khadi’s journey from fibre to fabric. Through displays of traditional tools, diverse fibres, indigenous material research, and contemporary design interventions, the exhibition highlighted Khadi as a holistic ecosystem. Installations such as Naye Bharat ki Nayi Khadi, Navsrijan Home Collection, Women:11, Recycled Denim, and Project Katran showcased innovation, sustainability, and social relevance. The exhibition concluded with contemporary collections, positioning Khadi as a future-ready textile rooted in craft, collaboration, and design.
Workshop Overview
Charkha Ramiye – Hand-Spinning Workshop was conducted on 29th and 30th November by master spinner Smt. Induben, aiming to educate participants about the skill and effort behind khadi yarn through a hands-on experience. Using traditional Bardoli and peti charkhas, each 1.5-hour session allowed attendees to engage closely with the spinning process. The workshop hosted 15–20 participants per day, including students from Prakriti School, Noida. It was well received, with participants gaining a deeper appreciation of hand-spinning and the cultural significance of khadi.
Styling with Six Yards – Sari Draping Workshop was held on 30th November and 2nd December 2025 at the Crafts Museum, New Delhi, as part of the Navyug Khadi event. With 50–60 participants across both days, including craft enthusiasts, saree lovers, and influencers, the workshop explored traditional drapes such as Bengali, Coorgi, and Kashta alongside contemporary styling techniques. Participants gained insights into how fabrics, particularly Khadi, influence drape, comfort, and movement, making the session an engaging celebration of the saree’s versatility, cultural significance, and modern relevance.
Nature’s Palette – Natural Dyeing Workshop was conducted on 29th and 30th November, led by master dyer Mr. Manikandan from Gandhigram, Dindigul. Across four sessions, participants explored eco-printing, natural indigo dyeing, and manjistha dyeing through hands-on demonstrations. With an average of 15 attendees per session, spanning ages 14 to 80, the workshop was met with enthusiastic participation. Participants created and took home dyed samples, gaining deeper insight into natural dye processes and the craftsmanship behind them, making the workshop both educational and impactful.
Retail Overview
Ten Khadi institutions representing diverse regional clusters participated in the exhibition, showcasing products such as handspun and handwoven fabrics, saris, stoles, garments, home furnishings, and men’s accessories. The stalls varied in scale, curation, and display quality, reflecting differing production and retail capacities. Institutions with prior exhibition experience performed better, presenting curated collections, clear pricing, multiple payment options, and refined displays. Others displayed more generic assortments. Overall sales feedback was mixed, with many noting lower-than-expected footfall, though visitors widely appreciated the craftsmanship, quality, and authenticity of Khadi products.
Navyug Khadi - 2025 Gallery
