The state of Assam is one of the striking regions of India. There is hardly any other state which has greater variety and colour in its naturalscenario and in the cultural treasures of the people that inhabit it.


Today weaving traditions in India revolves around sareeswhich is an ethnic dress worn by the women in most parts of the country. Thecombination and shine and glamour with the saree have led to the creation of aninnumerable traditional saree, with each region lending its unique essence toIndian ethnicity. The culture of Assam is imperfect without silk and silkweaving. Assam is the home of different types of traditional saree. The stateis famous for its silk handloom and the weaver's are expertise in various typesof silk like endi, muga, pala etc. The most prominent and prestigious beingmuga which is a golden silk found exclusively in this state. Muga silk is oneof the nature's gifts to Assam. The word Muga is derived from the Assamese word'muga' which means yellowish. It is much more superior in every aspect from thenormal white silk that is available all over the world.


This muga silk is much more durable than the normal one.Muga clothes are so durable that it can be used for long years. This muga silkis used in decoration stuff also. Muga silk is supposed to be the most costlyfabrics in the world. This muga is produced from cocoons of 'AntheraeaAssamensis' which is available only in Assam. Apart from muga there is eri andpat or endi which is the latter being used in manufacture of warm clothes forthe winter. The silk which is commonly found in Assam is non-mulberry silk. Patis a mulberry silk and is found in small quantities. Endi is yellowish incolour and is found in rough and smooth varieties which derives from the castorleaves on which the worms feeds which is woven into shawls and clothing for thewinter garments. There are two types of muga silk that depends on the leavesthe worms feed upon. Muga silk has a golden shine and is in high demand allover India for embroidery purposes. This silk grows shinier with each wash.This silk was used together with zari to weave fabrics for the royal families.Nowadays the zari is replaced by the multicoloured cotton threads. The designsare woven into these fabrics are drawn from the flora of Assam and are the symbols of the different tribes and ethnic groups of the area.


Silk is a rubbery substance produces by many insectsprincipally in the form of a cocoon or covering within which the creature isenclosed and protected during the period of its major transformation. Usuallythere are three crops per year of cocoons which starts from July-August,September- October and November-December. Each particular crop acts as a seedcocoon for the next one till the third one has matured. There are two varietiesof silk-pure silk and blended silk. Before the silk is obtained it starts withthe laying of the egg by the mother moth followed by the emergence of thecaterpillar or the larvae that weaves a cocoon and then the yarno is procured.Silk worms are reared in different part of India.


Nowadays traditional sarees is not just restricted to sareesbecause a wide range of ladies and men's wear like dupattas, fabrics, garments,handkerchiefs, caps, scarves, dhotis, turbans, shawls, ghagras or lehengas, andeven quilts, bedcover, table-cloths, cushions, curtains are made of silk.Sualkuchi is the main center in Assam for silk-weaving. The texture is delicatehere with elegant designs and natural colours. The main dress of the women hereis 'Lungi' which is popularly known as 'mekhla'. The mekhla is usually plainbut sometimes it has motifs all over the body and sometimes it has elaboratedesigned ends. The other part is the chadder which goes over the shoulder andthe riha which is tied to the waist area. The motifs are usually flowers,leaves, birds, animals, and geometrical designs. One of the special things inthis region is the bamboo weft designs, which is eight in number and are usedas variations in the weaving patterns.


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