Weavers Service Centre - Delhi

This is the lesser known place when it comes to textile. The Weavers Service Centre has over the years done remarkable work in development of handloom textiles and its revival. A lot of revival of textiles under the venerable Martand Singh was carried out at several of the Weavers Service Centres. There is a legacy of work done under the doyens of Indian handlooms – Late Ms. Kamala Devi Chattopadyay, Late Ms. Pupul Jayakar, Late Ms. Jasleen Dhamija  The WSC in Delhi is situated at Bharat Nagar which is near Ashok Nagar, in a place which goes by the name of Bunkar Colony. Apart from this, it is the repertoire of work done for the various Tantuvi exhibition which is exhaustive. They also have a collection of textiles produced under the Vishwakarma and Festival of India series. The recently launched National Centre for Textile Design (NCTD) offering designs and India Handloom Brand Cell also operate out of the WSC. A visit to the WSC has much to offer in terms of the vast repertoire of what is the Indian legacy of handlooms. The research material available is mind boggling. One needs to go and speak to the Asst. Director heading the division and after securing such permission can have a private viewing. The samples are not displayed.

A detail piece on the various Weavers Service Centre can be read at – www.armchairtextilejourney.com

 https://www.armchairtextilejourney.com/2025/03/weavers-service-centre-delhi.html

Timings – 10 am to 5 pm (Monday to Friday). The office is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

 

Where -  Weavers’ Service Centre, Weavers Colony, Bharat Nagar, Ashok Vihar,  Delhi – 110052.

 

Highlights -  One can see handloom weavers in factories. And there are some shops selling handloom products

 

Insider Tip – The WSC Delhi is a treasure trove of research work done on textiles. There is information on textile recreation done for the Viswakarma exhibitions, Tantavi project and more. The Centre has done some pioneering work on khes from Haryana. A visit to the centre, the sampling unit, library and resource centre is wonderful.

Chandni Chowk Kapada Market

Our series on cloth or fabric markets in Delhi continues.... 

I know you will probably laugh when I say this, but that there is a designated Kapada Market in Chandni Chowk which only sells kapada or cloth or apparel. However to a casual shopper or observer Chandni Chowk is one huge kapada market and with an equal number of shops selling mouth watering delicacies.

Chandni Chowk has been a preferred sourcing market for ready made garments. Although the market does sell to the retail customer, the bulk of the business comes from the wholesale buyers. The wholesale buyers range from small shopkeepers from Delhi, those who own across the city to shopkeepers from smaller towns like Panipat, Patiala, Rourkee, Dehradun etc.  It is not uncommon to see shopkeepers from Rohini, Sangam Vihar or Kalkaji make a trip to Chandni Chowk when their respective markets are closed to pick up stock from Chandni Chowk.

The USP or unique selling proposition of the market is the wide availability of traditional Indian garments. Its strong point is the lehenga, salwar kurta, kurtis in a host of fabric. The range covering chiffons, georgettes, cotton, terrycots, woollen to hakoba and summer wear. The sets are available in the entire range of sizes. The buyer has to either buy all sizes in a particular colour or in a particular size a  minimum of 6 to 8 pieces. It is the sheer variety which is mind boggling. Most shops specialise in one or the other garments. So there are those specially dealing in work or zardozi wear, there are those selling only cotton wear. So popular has readymade garments become in Chandni Chowk that it has spilled over from the traditional Cloth Market to other markets as well. Even lanes of Nai Sarak (known for its second hand books and paper) has a number of shops selling garments as also those in Dariba Kalan. The crowded bylanes do brisk business and is choc a block on Saturdays.

Apart from readymade garments, fabric is available in plenty. The number of little shops that appear at each corner or a gully is astounding for the initial visitor.

Then there is the Kinnari Bazaar for as the name suggests Kinnari. It is ideal for shopping for zari, borders, laces and zardozi. The Kinnari earlier were made in pure silver threads with real gold covering. Now it is lurex, copper zaris and the like which rule. There are several shops which still real stuff. It is known for the zari work. Most of the work is made in the bylanes of Chandni Chowk itself. Katra Neel again in Chandni Chowk is known for its muslin, cotton, silk and much more. There is so much diversity that one needs to research and one can truly come up with gems.

Timings – 11 am to 7 pm (Monday to Saturdays). The market is closed on Sundays.

Where  - Chandni Chowk. Enter through the main road. Shish Ganj Gurdwara Road. The Cloth market is situated towards the end. You could query the rickshaw walas or shopkeepers.

Highlights -  The shops are a plenty. Go with your instincts and pick up what you like.

Insider Tip – The market has the latest that is available. There are shops at the back side and in the bylanes. Several shopkeepers have their godowns there. Once you strike a friendship with the shopkeepers and are a regular, the place is easier to navigate. Bargaining is possible to an extent.