Weaving thin threads tradition Suresh Pitale keeping ‘charkha’ practice alive

 

 

THE charkha, a simple spinning wheel, has long been a potent symbol of self-sufficiency, and reliance. It embodies the spirit of revolution, independence, economic empowerment, and was a social reaction to the British rule. Harmonising with the soft whir of a charkha, Suresh Pitale, an 82- year-old citizen has dedicated his post-retirement years to the art of spinning cotton thread. He has been embracing the self-reliance way of life through charkha for past 26 years. For him, charkha is not merely a tool; it is a connection to the Indian roots, a vessel of his values. A resident of Deendayal Nagar, Nagpur, he shares a simple life with his wife Shobha Pitale. His journey with the charkha began long before his retirement from the Accountant General Office as Senior Audit Officer in 2003. Reminiscing on how he got introduced to charkha, he recalled that it all started during an audit in 1998. There, he met a Forest Officer who after knowing Pitale’s impending retirement in 2003, suggested he learn how to spin cotton thread using a charkha. Inspired by the officer’s words and a desire to learn something new indigenous to the country, Pitale started visiting theVinobha Vichaar Manch in 1998. Witnessing their activities firsthand, he became intrigued, and after his office hours, he regularly visited the Manch, where he received training and eventually purchased his first ‘ambar charkha’. “There are different types of charkhas, varying in designs. Mahatma Gandhi used a wooden one.

 

Though modern modifications exist, primarily for commercial production, my intent was not profit-drive but to align my actions for promoting Swadeshi products voluntarily,” he noted. Pitale explaining the spinning process, mentions that after the ‘soot katai’, he collects the thin cotton thread into bundles and then delivers these to Khadi Gramudyog. In exchange, he receives khadi cloth that is approximately the same weight as the bundles of cotton thread he provided. “Initially, after receiving the khadi fabric, I gave to it to tailor to make clothes for me and my family. Then later, started gifting khadi fabric to relatives and friends. But I realised that simply gifting the fabric might not guarantee its use. So, I started taking measurements from friends and acquaintances and asked my tailor to make custom shirts or kurtas for them. This way, I was sure that the khadi will be used and worn by them occasionally, if not regularly,” he explained joyfully. Pitale has gifted more than 250 khadi shirts and kurtas to his relatives, friends. As a dedicated member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since 1979, he has also presented khadi shirts to prominent RSS leaders, including the late K S Sudarshan, former Sarsanghachalak; Dr Mohan Bhagwat, current Sarsanghachalak, and the late M G Vaidya, a RSS Swayamsevak."

 

“From the time of India’s freedom struggle, slogans and ideas of using India-made products were promoted. Even today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlights on Swadeshi manufacturing. So, I feel my efforts aligns with this sentiments,” he observes. He adds, “I think that if every Indian decides to have atleast one Khadi made item for him or her, the increased demand in the market would create more employement in the industry. Making and wearing khadi is a act of patriotism.” From the raw cotton to the finished cloth, many workers and weavers are involved, making khadi production can be source of employment. Not only for clothing, khadi fabric can be utilised to make curtains, bedsheets, sarees, and other everyday necessities cloth items. Speaking on the non-complexity of the charkha, he says, “As spinning cotton thread with a charkha does not require complicated skills, I recommend it as a potential source of income for Persons with Disabilities. It is an easy to perform activity and as it symbolises self-reliance, we should explore its potential usage in the industry.”