New Delhi: A fortnight long exhibition dedicated to celebrating 10th National Handloom Day began at Handloom Haat in Janpath on Saturday.

National Handloom Development Corporation Ltd (NHDC) is organising the handloom expo with the support of the Union Ministry of Textiles.

The exhibition will conclude on August 16.

Named Viraasat, the series of  exclusive handloom expo is a continuation of celebrations held during previous year around the National Handloom Day.

This year, the 10th National Handloom Day will be celebrated on August 7.

The event focuses on the glorious tradition of Handloom and Handicrafts.

It also provides the handloom weavers and artisans with an opportunity to connect with the market.

The exhibition will be open to the public from 11 am to 8 pm.

Handloom products drawn from some of the exotic locations of India were on display and sale at the exhibition.

During the event, several activities will be organised at the Handloom Haat like 75 stalls for handloom weavers and artisan to directly retail the products, curated theme display of exquisite handloom of India, workshops on natural dyes, kasturi cotton, design and exports, live loom demonstration, Folk dances of India, Delicious regional cuisines etc.

In 2015, the government decided to commemorate August 7 every year as the National Handloom Day.

The first National Handloom Day was held on August 7, 2015.

The handloom sector of India employs 35 lakh persons directly or indirectly which is next only to the agricultural sector in the country.

The art of handloom weaving has traditional values attached to it and each region has exquisite varieties. The uniqueness of products such as Banarasi, Jamdani, Baluchari, Madhubani, Kosa, Ikkat, Patola, Tussar Silk, Maheshwari, Moirang Phee, Baluchari, Phulkari, Laheriya, Khandua and Tangaliya to name a few attracts customers across the globe with exclusives weaves, designs, and traditional motifs.

All the exhibitors at the exhibition have been encouraged to display their exquisite products and thus aim to improve the market for Handloom products and earnings of the handloom community.