Khadi angavastram for Jains

AHMEDABAD: It was a challenge of sorts for handloom operators at Imam Manzil opposite Gandhi Ashram. A person had asked them whether they could make the angavastram the dhoti and a wraparound worn by Jains when they visit a derasar ­ out of khadi. For Jains, it is generally silk or cotton when it comes to choosing cloth for J angavastram.
"For me, the reason was i simple.As I wear khadi daily, s I thought why not also use it for clothes worn at religious functions? Perhaps it is clos r est to a `nonviolent' cloth as it t does not involve any mechan l cal or chemical process," aid the man who did not wish to be named.
He further said that khadi epresents a school of hought based on nonvioence and so does Jainism. "I believe that the vibes would be a bit different when I wear khadi angavastram," the man said.
Dhimant Badhiya, grandson of Gandhiji's weaving guru Ramjibhai Badhiya from Lathi, says that they had not made anything like that on the handloom they use.
"It is generally kurtas, shirts and other commonly worn clothes that can be stitched. Thus we asked for designs and started experimenting with the material and form. The result has been encouraging. We had never seen khadi in this light before the request. We were inspired to provide him what he wanted. We believe that khadi is not limited to Jains as other communities also use similar clothes for religious purposes," he said.
Narsinh Badhiya, the handloom operator, said that cloth-making on handloom is a long but satisfactory process. "One can see the cloth taking desired shape in front of your eyes. It becomes all the more important when you know what the cloth is to be used for," he said.