Khadi – the humble cloth

What is khadi cloth? Khadi is India’s handspun yarn where it is woven on wooden looms. Its perfection lies in its imperfection.

Khadi is one of the most ancient and sustainable textiles in the world. It was popularised by Mahatma Gandhi as part of the Swadeshi movement, encouraging Indians to spin and weave their own cloth as an act of self-reliance and resistance to British colonial rule.

The word “khadi” derives from “khaddar” — a Hindi word for the coarse cloth spun and woven by hand. Its production is entirely manual: cotton, silk or wool is first hand-spun into yarn using a traditional spinning wheel called a charkha, and then hand-woven on a wooden loom.

Because it is made entirely by hand, khadi has a distinctive texture — slightly uneven, breathable, and wonderfully tactile. It keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter, making it perfectly suited to the Indian climate.

Today, khadi remains a symbol of Indian heritage and craftsmanship. At Kinnari Design Studio, we use khadi in select pieces to celebrate this remarkable tradition and the artisans who keep it alive. Each khadi garment we create is a small act of preservation — of craft, of community, and of culture.