Vidya Balan wants to popularise handloom

Actress Vidya Balan, who often flaunts traditional Indian weaves, says she feels strongly for the dying art of handloom in the country and would like to spread awareness about weavers' work.

At the Indian Textiles Day at the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week summer-resort 2015 on Thursday, the "Parineeta" actress sported a creation by designer Gaurang Shah, who is known for his work in khadi and textiles.

Shah used khadi in his collection Kalpavriksha, and Vidya flaunted one of the creations on the ramp.

Known for her love for kanjeevaram and handloom saris, Vidya was thrilled to be a showstopper in an 'Organza Kanjeevaram'.

"I'm thrilled that Gaurang (Shah) brought a kanjeevaram to me and said 'It's an organza kanjeevaram', something that I hadn't heard before. It falls beautifully," Vidya said here post the designer's show.

"I am someone who wears lot of handlooms. I strongly feel for it. Slowly I am gaining more knowledge about it so that I can do whatever I can for the weavers and the cause of the handloom," she added.

Shah, who has been awarded many times for his work in textiles and khadi, went for a twist in using khadi in his collection this time and mixed it with Bangladeshi khadi, Phulkari, Chikankari and Kalamkari.

"It is a jugalbandi of khadi of Andhra Pradesh, Bangladeshi khadi, Phulkari, Chikankari and Kalamkari. The Kalamkari has a little bit twist in it," the designer said.

"Generally, when the Kalamkari is painted, they do the black outline and then fill the colour. But this time I have not used black and I have done the painting directly with the colours," he added.