The traditional dress of Assam- culture and essence of the state

The traditional dresses of Assam consist of the Muga or the golden silk fibre which has a huge demand in the global market. Besides the ‘Muga’ variety there is the ‘Eri’ and the ‘Paat’ that are being used mostly in the making of traditional clothes in Assam. The former is used to make winter garments especially shawls called ‘Eri Chadar’ and the latter is used for the making of ‘Mekhela Chadar.’

The ‘Muga’ is the most important and the most preferred wild silk all over India and is the main cause behind the exquisiteness and elegance of the Assam Silk saris. The delicate designs, finely woven on the saris cater to patterns in nature, for example, the flora and fauna. Embroideries also incorporate, acquainted and culture-related things, such as architecture and stone sculptures on the Madan Kamdev Temple in Assam.

Traditional Garments for Assamese Men and Women
The fabric might be the same but men and women have different sets and styles of traditional attire in Assam. Following are the traditional dresses of Assam described in detail.

Mekhela Chador
The Mekhela Chador is the traditional dress for the women of Assam. It is worn by women of all ages except children. This two piece garment has a long piece of cloth that is draped from the waist downwards and is then folded into pleats and tucked in. This piece is called the Mekhela. The upper part of the dress is the Chador that is also a long piece of cloth whose one end is tucked into the Mekhela, and then the rest is wrapped around the body. This Chador is worn with triangular folds, the art of which can be mastered only by sheer practice.