EDII-supported artisan honoured nationally for reviving 400-year-old Mashroo design

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

AHMEDABAD, AUGUST 13, 2025

In a remarkable blend of heritage and resilience, Bhojrajbhai Damjibhai, a differently abled Mashroo weaving artisan from Gadhshisha, Kutch, has been conferred the prestigious ‘National Handloom Award 2025’ for bringing back to life the rare ‘Bharasai Mashroo’ design — a 400-year-old floral motif once thought lost to history.

The award was presented on the 11th National Handloom Day (7 August 2025) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, by Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita, and senior Ministry officials, in the presence of Lok Sabha MP Kangana Ranaut.

A custodian of the Mashroo tradition, Bhojrajbhai inherited the craft from his father, Damjibhai, who had integrated Mashroo weaving into Khadi production in Kutch. Despite being affected by polio in childhood and caring for his younger brother with similar challenges, Bhojrajbhai remained steadfast at his loom, driven by both necessity and passion.

When the Mashroo tradition teetered on the brink of extinction in the 1990s due to mass-produced imitations from power looms, he chose not to surrender. Without corporate backing, he personally explored markets, trained youth in his village, and transformed his home into both a workshop and a training centre. Even during his battle with cancer, the rhythmic clatter of the loom never ceased in his household.

In 2023, the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), under its HSBC-supported flagship project ‘Handmade in India’, took Bhojrajbhai under its wing. Through advanced design development training, exposure to innovative yarns, and access to modern layouts, EDII empowered him to resurrect the ‘Bharasai Mashroo’ design. In May 2025, with EDII’s guidance, he submitted a compelling award application, supported by a specially conceptualised thematic sample.

“Winning this award is a proud moment not just for me, but for every Mashroo weaver who has worked to keep this tradition alive. With EDII’s support, I was able to revive a design close to my heart and take our craft to the national stage,” said Bhojrajbhai.

Through the dedication of artisans like Bhojrajbhai and the support of institutions like EDII, India’s centuries-old weaving traditions are not merely preserved — they are being woven seamlessly into the nation’s future.