Handloom Talks Episode 2 | Jonali Saikia on Assam Handloom, Muga Silk, Women Weavers & Slow Fashion

Описание: Handloom Talks Episode 2 brings you a deeply insightful conversation with Jonali Saikia, Founder of Heeya, hosted by Dr. Sharmista Raha, representing WICCI and President of SAARC Business Council India, and Sumana Mukherjee, Founder of Sustainaverse.

In this episode, we explore the extraordinary world of Assam handloom, the story of Muga silk – the golden thread of Assam, the cultural significance of Mekhela Chador, and the powerful role of women weavers in sustaining India’s textile heritage.

Jonali introduces her fascinating “5S Framework of Assam Handloom” — Silk, Sustainability, and the central role of Women — offering a rare systems-level perspective on handloom, livelihoods, craft revival, and slow fashion.

✨ In this episode, we discuss:

• What makes Assam handloom unique
• The science, rarity, and beauty of Muga silk
• Why handloom is vital to Assam’s economy
• Women’s economic empowerment through weaving
• Slow fashion vs fast fashion
• Craft preservation, markets, and policy challenges
• The emotional and cultural value of handwoven textiles

About Jonali Saikia

Jonali Saikia is the Founder of Heeya, established in 2012 with a vision to bring the rich textile heritage of Northeast India to a wider audience while creating sustainable economic opportunities for women artisans.

With nearly 30 years of experience across corporate, social impact, and development sectors, Jonali began her career with global organizations such as Accenture before dedicating her work to handloom livelihoods, craft revival, and women’s workforce participation. She has worked with hundreds of artisans across diverse tribes and regions, playing a catalytic role in reviving rare and endangered craft traditions through design, innovation, and market-led interventions.

This conversation is essential viewing for anyone interested in:

Handloom | Assam Silk | Muga Silk | Mekhela Chador | Slow Fashion | Sustainable Fashion | Indian Textiles | Women Weavers | Craft Revival | Artisan Livelihoods | Textile Heritage

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Learn more about Heeya's work in the Feb 2026 Issue of Kriti Magazine.

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