Indigenous Fashion of Assam is Colourful, Rich and comes from Various Tribes.

Indigenous Fashion of Assam is Colourful, Rich and comes from Various Tribes.

An Indigenous Fashion of Assam is Colourful, Rich and comes from Various Tribes.d caption

Origin and History

"Assam is a state of living aesthetics", sys Ahana Majumdar, Associate Professor at National Institute of Fashion Technology, Kolkata. "The bright colours on monochromes, the distinctive motifs, the unique textures and of course, the accessories add up to a visual that is rich and vibrant." The indigenous clothing tradition of Assam is colourful and rich- a result of the coming together and amalgamation of the culture and clothings of various tribes.
 
     Assam is primarily identified by rich silk fabrics- Muga, Mulberry and Eri the beautiful Mekhla Sadar  along with the coulor and punch of the traditional cloths of the various tribes. With its roots in the Mughal period of  the 1600's the patronage of the royalty nurtured the development of the unique characteristics of Assam's clothing traditions.

      Assam is importance to the fabrics of India and is famous for tribes and sub tribes, silk handlooms, tea gardens, paddy fields, groves of coconuts, banana and areca nuts trees. Assam is one of India's developed states which has yet managed to retain its rich culture and has contributed to the diversity of Indian culture- be it lifestyle, religion or clothing. This is reflected most vibrantly in the traditional attires of the people of Assam. The fabrics, the clothing, the styling - all reflect the essence of India.

The fabrics, garments and style of Assam

   Every region has its own unique traditional dresses which reflect the culture of its various communities which then become the identifying foctors for these places. Traditional dress are living haritage - passed down from generation to generation and preserved with care.

   The most recognized traditional dress of Assam is the 'Mekhla Sadar'. This comprises two main pieces of cloth that are draped around the body. The Mekhla is the long cylindrical skirt down to the ankles and Sadar is the upper wrap. The Riha is folded into pleats to fit around the waist anfd tucked in to the mekhla and its worn around a blouse. The Sadar is worn in a criss-cross pleated form, or in a hand-kerchief fold down the front. The fluid folds of the Riha lend graceto the coplete garment. Assamese women, irrespective of tribes and clan, wear variations of this.

     Coming to the fabrics, Mekhla Sadar is woven in coarse or fine cotton for regular use but during fastivals and special occations, garments in Assam's famous indigenous silk such as eri, pat and muga are worn with pride.

     Assamese men dress themselves in Dhoti (a loincloth), a shirt called Sola or Fotua and Sadar, made from Endi (a blend of silk and cotton). When working in the fieldsm farmer wear a hat called Japi. Another article of great signification to the Assamese people is the Gamosa. Literally translated, this means some thing to wipe the body with (Ga=body, mosa=to wipe); but interpreting this to mean just the bodywiping towel is inaccurate. Gamosa refers a white rectungular piece of cloth with primarily a red border or three sides and red woven motifs on the fourth (in additional to red, other coulors are also used).