Lotus flower silk, which is also called lotus fabric, comes from the stem of the lotus plant and is a distinctive and uncommon textile. To extract the fiber, workers carefully twist the fibers by hand, causing them to separate from the stem.
People highly value this material for its lustrous appearance and unique texture, which resembles a cross between silk and linen. Manufacturers produce this silk as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to other silk fabrics. Because they can make it without harming the lotus plant, and the silk is entirely biodegradable.
27 year old Bijiyashanti Tongbram from Manipur makes fibers from lotus stem gathered from the Loktak Lake of Manipur, then she spins this yarn into scarves, stoles, neckties & other apparels. Her innovative approach has caught the attention of many, including the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his recent, Mann Ki Baat radio programme, PM Modi appreciated Bijiyashanti for her innovative ideas.Â
Clothes made from lotus stem are in high demand in foreign countries. There are only a few places in the world where this kind of work is done – in Myanmar and in Cambodia. This has opened new avenues in the field of lotus farming and textile.