KDC, as encouraged by the global dialogue on environmentally sustainable textiles endorses the use of cotton fabrics, one of the oldest excavated fabrics that have been traced back to the Hindu civilization, first grown, spun and woven into cloth as early as 5000 BC.
In Hinduism the use of cotton is predominant in the field of Vedic temple sciences and rituals. It is used to clad deities, offer garments made from it in Homas as oblations to deities on special occasions, in the form of wicks for lighting lamps, for day-to-day wear and culinary arts and expansively used in the daily Hindu houseold activities.
An ancient variety of cotton fabric named, ‘Mangalagiri’, from Andhra Pradesh is environmentally friendly and a very popular handloom textile owing to its simplistic patterns, durability of the cotton and colours and wearability. This textile is made by meticulous hands chiseled by a lineage of connoisseurs in the field of weaving. The ancient system of making this fabric is dwindling due to the loss of tradition which is impacting the weavers economically.
KDC promotes the usage of the ancient ‘Mangalagiri’ fabric as per the dicta of Ved- Āgamas for providing an environmentally benign ambiance that supports the potential sustainability of the planet, parallelly reviving the traditional Hindu weaver’s communities.
Hindu Scriptural Reference of Vedic Attire
kārpāsamupavītaṃ syād viprasyaurdhvavṛtaṃ trivṛt |
śaṇasūtramayaṃ rājño vaiśyasyāvikasautrikam || 44 ||
The sacrificial string of a Brahmana shall be made of cotton, (shall be) twisted to the right, (and consist) of three threads, that of a Kshatriya of hempen threads, (and) that of a Vaisya of woollen threads.
Manusmriti, 2.44.
