Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti joins as special guest, takes to the loom himself; audiences across generations weave their own keepsakes at the hands-on workshop by Shuttles & Needles
Chennai, August 2026: Thoughtloom at Palam Silks, Mylapore, hosted Behind the Weave on Thursday, August 6, an afternoon of conversation, craftsmanship and hands-on participation that brought together weavers, designers, journalists and handloom enthusiasts of all ages under one roof, on the eve of National Handloom Day, observed every year on August 7 as declared by the Government of India.
The event featured a conversation between Naresh Ramasubramaniam, Founder of Shuttles & Needles, and Kausalya Santhanam, journalist, features writer and former Deputy Editor of The Hindu, who explored how handloom continues to shape contemporary ideas of creativity, design and learning.
“I believe weaving is much more than the making of fabric. The loom is a tool for developing observation, patience, creativity and problem-solving, while demonstrating how traditional textile knowledge continues to inspire contemporary education and design,” said Naresh Ramasubramaniam.
A Special Guest Takes to the Loom
Adding to the day’s significance, Dr. Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti joined as a special guest and sat behind the loom himself, weaving a quick length of fabric in keeping with a legacy his family has carried forward for over a century.
Speaking to the media, he described weaving as an art that is usually taught to children early in life, calling it a craft that is far more knowledge-based than execution-based. He noted that even as powerlooms exist today, it remains important for future generations to understand and nurture this art, given the infinite possibilities it offers for creativity and concept in weaving.
“For many of us, weaving has been a family business passed down over generations. What makes today special is that this event has brought together people across every age group — not just legacy weavers, but amateurs who are here purely out of interest and passion to learn,” he said.
“I would also like to see more people, beyond legacy weavers, take up weaving as a profession. It offers vast opportunities for growth and creativity, and India is known the world over for the sheer diversity of its weaves. Seeing so much interest in weaving at today’s event by Palam gives me new hope that this industry can grow brighter in the years ahead. On this Handloom Day, I thank everyone here on behalf of all weavers,” he added.
He praised Palam Silks and its team for organising the event and for bringing together an audience across age groups to learn the art in one place, calling it the best gift for Handloom Day.
Hands-On Weaving Draws an Overwhelming Response
The hands-on weaving workshop conducted by Shuttles & Needles and team saw an overwhelming response, with participants taking turns through the afternoon to experience and learn the craft first-hand. Each participant wove their own piece of fabric and took their creation home with them, mounted as a keepsake.
The pride and happiness on participants’ faces as they held their finished weaves said more than words could — a fitting close to an afternoon built around celebrating handloom as a living, evolving practice.
With Behind the Weave, Thoughtloom continues its commitment to creating conversations that celebrate craft not as a relic of the past, but as a living, evolving practice that continues to inspire new ways of seeing, creating and learning.
About Thoughtloom at Palam Silks
Thoughtloom is Palam Silks’ platform for conversations and experiences that celebrate handloom craftsmanship, bringing artisans, designers and audiences together to engage with the living tradition of Indian weaving.
