For those who follow Esha Gupta on social media, it’s no secret that she often digs into her mom and granny’s closets and wears some of their precious heirloom possessions. Today, on National Handloom Day, the actress speaks to us about her love for Indian handloom, traditional weaves, and sustainability in fashion.

During a recent visit to her ancestral home in Uttar Pradesh, Esha discovered a large wooden box lying unopened for years. When she opened it, it revealed a treasure trove of her grandmother’s vintage jewellery and decades-old saris – Mango silk, Banarasi, Kanjivaram, Chanderi – all preserved with utmost care.

Esha shares, “I’ve been wearing my mom and grandma’s saris forever now. The saris I discovered from my granny, I believe she got them when she got married, probably when she was just 15 or 16. Now, I have inherited them.”

For her, saris are more a way of life than a fashion statement. “I remember seeing my mother’s pictures. She would ride a bicycle in a sari to her university. It wasn’t just her; most women of her time did the same. I grew up seeing the women in my family in saris, doing household chores and working in the kitchen with every pleat intact. It seemed like the most comfortable outfit for them. I wonder how, because today we need a team to help us when we wear a gown,” she says.

Talking about how gifting saris is like a ritual in her family, she says, “Back home, we have storage beds filled with dozens of saris, folded, packed and preserved - many of them perhaps never worn. In my family, it’s a ritual to gift each other saris on special occasions.”

Commenting on how saris complement every body type, Esha points out, “The weave, the material and the way of draping might vary, but they all look amazing on every body type. A sari is a complete outfit in itself.”

This traditional Indian attire perfectly aligns with the cause of sustainability as well, says Esha. The actress emphasises how India’s masterful weaves are a traditionally sustainable and eco-conscious choice.

She says, “My granny wore them, then my mother wore them. When I inherited them, I had them delicately refurbished so that the zardozi work or the threadwork wouldn’t get spoiled. A sari is an outfit that can be passed down for generations, and it will only gain heritage value. You can hardly do that with your fast-fashion Western outfits.”

In the last decade, Indian traditional fabrics have blown up on the international fashion scene. Esha says, “It’s great that many international brands are using Indian fabrics, especially our silk. Our Indian handloom weavers have kept our culture and heritage alive through their work. I commend those who support sustainable fashion. Fast fashion is detrimental to the environment on a large scale. Keep your clothes well and wear them as long as you can because we’re not here to impress others, we’re here to live our lives.”