When Mahatma Gandhi saw Assamese women working on looms in Suwalkuchi, the silk village, during his visit to Assam in 1946, he said: Assamese women weave dreams on their looms. People of the various communities of Assam are traditionally good weavers apart from being experts in basketery, mat-making, fishing implements and various other handloom and handicraft activities. Not only in Sualkuchi, but across the various villages of Assam one can find various forms of arts and crafts. From the various forms of silk to the arts of bamboo handicrafts, pottery, metal crafts, etc. Assam has always been producing arts and crafts in a production method that has not changed and is similar as decades ago due the technique of producing these goods as handmade.
In every community, there are different forms of baskets for different purposes, as also different kinds of earthen, brass and bell-metal pots and plates. The bamboo on the other hand is very important to the Assamese communities. From making various kinds of flutes to making pyre for the dead, bamboo is an inseparable that while a young man in a bihu song describes the bamboo grove as his sibling from the same womb, an adage says – jaar nai baanh, tar nai saah (meaning one who doesn’t have a bamboo, does not possess courage)!
Women on the other hand work over eight hours a day picking two leaves and a bud with nimble fingers from the lush-green tea bushes from which are produced several varieties of tea that are exported to all over the globe. At home, women in the Assamese communities are simply wizards of the heart, making countless mouth-watering dishes and recipes even out of simple herbs growing in the backyard. These Assamese women are also expert weavers on handlooms and weave out some of the finest handmade textiles across the World! Literally every home in an Assamese Village has a loom and the spirit of weaving on these looms are inculcated in the minds of the girls of the traditional village family from a young age. At certain villages, the ability to weave out exquisite ‘Gamusas’ and traditional towels from the loom is a characteristic every prospective bride should possess and acts as a prerequisite for marriage. This weaving ability of these ladies has ensure that this art form of Assam is still very much alive and practiced extensively that gives you bright and beautiful colored patterns of handmade traditional garments which are a treat to the eyes of every beholder.
1| The Indigenous Silk Fabrics of Assam – Muga, Pat & Eri
The Silk fabrics of Assam are renowned across the World for its grandeur and have earned recognition from around the World. Silk weaving is an important occupation of the people of Assam and it also forms an important aspect of the socio-cultural life of Awesome Assam. Silk weaving looms are found across a majority of tribal households of Assam that weave out exclusive garments of the three varieties of the silks of Assam namely the Muga silk, the Eri silk and the Pat silk. Visitors to Assam who have seen these three varieties of silks of Assam easily proclaim that there is nothing as grand as the Muga silk of Assam.
Muga silk of Assam is of a naturally golden color and is considered among the finest varieties of silk in India. Produced only in the State of Awesome Assam, it was prevalent in the earlier times that the ability to weave the Muga silk of Assam was a primary qualification for a young girl for her eligibility for marriage. This fact perhaps explains as to why Assam has the highest concentration of handloom weavers in India primarily in the town of Suwalkuchi – ‘the Manchester of the East’. Sericulture in Assam is a traditional cottage industry which is rooted in the life and culture of Assam. The Muga silk of Assam has a unique characteristic wherein the shine of the Muga silk fabric improves after every wash which notably makes it one of the most expensive silk varieties in the World. In Assam, for every Assamese women, the Muga silk Mekhela chador is the most prized possession!
The Pat silk of Awesome Assam is of a brilliant white or offwhite color and is produced from the ‘Bombyx textor’ silkworm which feeds on mulberry leaves. The Pat silk of Assam is known for its brightness, high quality and durability. Pat silk has a unique characteristic wherein the fabric made from this silk variety of Assam can dry in a shadow.
The Eri silk of Assam is another popular silk variety of Assam and has a coarse and thick texture owing to the reason that most of the fabric is hand spun. Eri silk has a characteristic of being warm and that allows it to be spun into shawls and jackets. In addition, the Eri silk of Awesome Assam has a characteristic of being anti-fungal, non toxic, biodegradable and a most sustainable form of textile. Eri is also referred to as the non-violent silk.
For more information on the Silks of Assam Email us at: info@jungleideas.com
2| Bamboo & Cane Handicrafts of Assam
The indigenous people of Assam have practiced handicrafts as a profession from times immemorial. The vast availability of raw materials viz. bamboo and cane across the forests of Assam have made the people of Assam practice this art as a profession and this over time has ensured that the people of Assam transform into adept craftsmen. The handicrafts of Assam made from Bamboo and cane look exquisite and are exported across the World. Although most people in Assam use bamboo and cane handicrafts for their personal day to day use in their households but in recent times the fine craftsmanship of these bamboo and cane products have caught attention and people from across the World visit Assam to witness this age old practices of handicrafts in the villages of Assam along with the intrinsic process of silk weaving in Assam.
Bamboo is particularly inseparable from the lives of all communities of Assam and thus also comprise the most important raw material for handicrafts. Equally important is the use of cane. Bamboo and cane crafts have been practiced in Assam since ages and every traditional home in the State is full of various items of daily use made of bamboo and cane. These include a whole range of baskets, musical instruments, fishing implements, weaving accessories, chairs and stools and finally the Jappi – the traditional sun shade. There are several villages across Assam by the name Jappi-sajiya – meaning village where Jaapis are made.
The handicrafts of Awesome Assam are completely hand made which gives them an exclusive finish. Bamboo tree is the lifeline of the people of Assam and is used in construction of a complete house. Bamboo fences and bridges over streams are a common sight to be seen across the villages of Assam. Bamboo and cane handicrafts of Assam include bamboo mats, bamboo and cane furnitures, cane walking sticks, bamboo and cane baskets, musical instruments, bamboo fishing traps, bamboo hats, hand fans, bamboo slit screens, floor mats, cane seats, bamboo trays, bamboo beer mugs, bow and arrows, etc. The ‘Jhapi’ of Assam which is a traditional hat continues to be the most prestigious of all bamboo items of Assam and visitors to Awesome Assam are welcomed with the ‘Jhapi’ and the traditional towel of Assam viz. the ‘Gamusa’.
Bamboo has been intrinsically associated with the life and culture of Assam. From birth ’til death, people of Assam have incorporated bamboo in every aspect of their life. Its importance in Assam can be measured by the fact that it is not only used for handicrafts, but also in the kitchen to make sumptuous dishes out of the bamboo ingredient of Assam viz. the ‘Khorisa’. Bamboo is further employed in medicines as a remedy to fight various diseases.
For more information on the Bamboo and Cane Handicrafts of Assam Email us at: info@jungleideas.com
3| Water Hyacinth Handicrafts of Assam
Water Hyacinth is a free floating aquatic plant. Commonly found across the State of Assam, this plant has been known to cause havoc especially in the fisheries and lakes of Assam as it chokes marine life and provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes. But these days, the artisans of Assam have found a very interesting way of putting this havoc of a plant into good use viz. the water hyacinth handicrafts of Awesome Assam.
The stem of the water hyacinth plant is used to make beautiful water hyacinth handicrafts like purses, ladies hand bags, mobile covers, file covers, hand fans, slippers, etc. Though not produced in mass scale these products are gradually catching up in the Indian and global markets. Continuous research is being put into development of more exclusive handicrafts from water hyacinth and launching these across International markets. Visitors to Assam can buy these handicrafts from retail outlets at Guwahati.
For more information on the Water Hyacinth Handicrafts of Assam Email us at: info@jungleideas.com
4| Bell Metal Handicrafts of Assam
Assam’s metal products – made of bell metal and brass – are not only in use in every household in the State but also have an international market. While utensils dishes, plates, tumblers and bowls of these metals are found in use in every home, musical instruments like bells and large gongs travel all the way into numerous Buddhist Monasteries in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar apart from the neighbouring states like West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Bihar. Utensils specially made for religious rituals on the other hand have a huge market in temples, naam-ghars as well as in domestic prayer rooms.
While Hajo, about 25 kms from Guwahati is famous for its bell metal cottage industry, manufacture of brass metal items is a household activity in the villages of Sarthebari about 100 km west of Guwahati. Bell metal items are of major utilitarian and aesthetic value in Assam; they are inseparable items in marriage and religious ceremonies, eating on bell metal dishes is considered good for health. Most common bell metal items include cymbals, bhog-jora, baan-kanhi, baan-baati, pik-daani, etc. while huge cymbals and gongs in most Buddhist Monasteries across the country are also made in Assam. The most popular brass metal product on the other hand is the sorai – a traditional utensil for ceremonial offering of betel nuts and betel leaves used during weddings and other social rituals, as also in welcoming guests as souvenir.
For more information on the Bell Metal Handicrafts of Assam Email us at: info@jungleideas.com
5| Pottery Crafts of Assam
Earthen pottery works has been a part of human life since times immemorial. Assam in fact has two professional communities called Kumar and Hira who were traditionally engaged in earthen pottery. While the Kumars use the wheel in their workshops, the Hira people make pottery products without using the wheel. Moreover, while only men in the Kumar community, it is the women who display more expertise in the trade.
Assam also has a rich tradition of terracotta, and Asharikandi village near Dhubri is said to be one of the most important terracotta artisans’ village in the whole of India. The main raw material for terracotta is a particular soil called hira-mati (meaning diamond earth) in Assamese.
With tourists from different countries visiting the village, terracotta products of Asharikandi have travelled to different parts of the World. The pottery craft of Asari Kandi has earned the repute of being an ethnic brand in India and this craft of Assam is also known for its sole pith craft that is made from the soft core of a special type of reed. The Terracotta handicrafts of Assam have been a prominent craft since very long time in history and the art has been passed down from one generation to another. The various forms of crafts of the pottery are idols of Gods and Goddesses, toys, pottery, vases, etc.
For more information on the Pottery Handicrafts of Assam Email us at: info@jungleideas.com
6| Mask making art of Majuli Island
Mask making is one of the most famous traditional crafts still practiced in Majuli. It is mainly practiced by the ‘Satras’. The ‘Samaguri Satra’ has worldwide acclaim in making exquisite masks. It has been practiced by the ‘Bhakats’ here for centuries. Masks are an integral part of Sattriya culture. Traditionally, masks were used for religious dance and drama. They were conceptualized as a tool by Shrimanta Shankar Deva to make and depict the characters of ‘Srimad Bhagwat’ to the devotees. Masks helped to provide a physical form to the puranic characters. They also helped people to associate with the character and expressions of the mythical heroes. Shri Hem Chandra Goswami at the Samaguri Satra of Majuli has been practicing this art since the last 20 years and he continues to train artisans of the island to learn the art of mask making thus keeping alive this tradition.
Masks are used for religious performances and traditional dramas. Mainly materials like bamboo and cane, cloth, clay and rock color etc are used for making masks. In some case wood may also be used. Traditionally three types of masks are prepared viz.
- Mukha: these are face masks.
- Lotokai mukha: this type of mask is used to move lips, eyes hands etc.
- Bor mukha: this is nearly life size or even larger in special cases.
Traditionally, first the frame of mask is prepared using bamboo and string etc, then using color and cloth the final finishing is done by the master craftsmen. Bhakats plant trees as per their requirement and maintenance of these trees are also their responsibility.
PROCESS
There are two types of masks based on frame material used:
- Made of bamboo
- Made of paper
Bamboo is spliced into small pieces and long thin sticks are crafted into a skeleton of bamboo shaped as per requirement of the character. Over that, a layer of cow dung or clayey soil is applied for minute details such as nose, eyes, ears and others. A piece of cloth is stuck over that with gum and dried in sun. Hengul, Haital, Neel, and Balichanda (mica) is applied for accentuation.The paper mache masks are made with clay cast. The clay is shaped with a knife, seeds of Bihmana or Kendu is crushed for making the gum which is applied over the pieces of paper. They are then soaked and cast on the clay cast. Hengul, haiatal, Neel, Dhalmati etc are powdered on a brass plate with stone and they are applied for color. The brush used is made of cat’s hair stuck on a pointed bamboo. The colors and dyes are stored in small bamboo nodes.
The paper masks are used only for making headgear. For other parts bamboo, mud, and cloth are used. The masks that are made for the characters of Brahma, Hansa, Ganesha, Gaduda, Jatayu, ten headed Ravana, Kumbhkarna, Taraka, Maricha, Subahu, Putana, Chakravat, Kaliya Naag, Bakasura, Aghasura, Dhenukasura, Batsasura, Hanuman, Jambuban, , Baraha, Nar Simha etc. Masks for Krishna, Rama, Lakhshmana are not made. For the day of the performance they are regarded as the God’s incarnation. Apart from these the craftsmen also prepare Dadhishal, rathas (chariots) for war, swords, Gada, Bow and arrow, axes, trishula, Vajra, Chakra, Head gear, Nupur, full sized cow, horses etc are also made as per the need of the story being recited.
7| Wood Crafts of Assam
Assam is home to a vast cover of dense forests and the indigenous people of Assam have always known the use of wood and timber to be a part of the culture and economy and the artisans who are involved in making of the handicrafts of Assam have known the use of wood to create various types of crafts. It is believe that an Assamese craftsman can identify the quality of the wood even in dark and they can use their skills to create several decorative interior items with the wood. When you visit the places in Assam like the Kamakhya temple and even Kaziranga National Park you will find the local artisans of Assam make use of the wood to create replicas of the Indian One Horned Rhinoceros, Kamakhya Temple, Hornbill Birds, Deers and even table stands with the dried branches of the trees. In the ancient times of the Ahom Kingdom and the spread of Neo Vaishnavism of Assam, the artisans used wood to decorate the Vaishnavite Monasteries by various means of carving and also the Guru Asana was wood crafted ands along with it the craftsmen who began to be referred as ‘Khanikars’ used to create carious birds and animals of the Hindu Mythology and these craftsmen of Assam passed on the legacy from one generation to another.
8| Assamese Jewellery
The Assamese Jewellery (Axomiya Gohona) is a prized possession of the women of Assam and these jewellery are made of gold and the craft of gold making and traditional jewellery making is a very ancient handicraft work of Assam with the earliest reference of this craft being found in the Arthasashtra. These handicrafts gained prominence during the times of the Ahom regime and the various goldsmiths who practiced this craft flourished across the region of Sivasagar, Jorhat, Goalpara and Kamrup and this work came to be known as the Minakari craft of Assam. These products are expensive because it involves a lot of work to craft these traditional Assamese Jewellery and the dark blue, dark green, white red and yellow colours were used in enamelling of the Assamese Jewellery. The popular Assamese jewellery is the hand bangles or bracelets that are called as the Gam Kharu and other items are earrings, necklaces, foot rings, etc. and the traditional Assamese names of these jewellery items are Bagin, Dighal Keru, Janbiri, Dholbiri, Dugdugi, etc.
9| Traditional Paintings
Another very famous art form of Assam is that of the traditional paintings and this art form dates back to past several centuries. The Assamese painters gained prominence during the Ahom reign and they created the works of the various palaces, forts and Satras of Assam and even the Namghars with brightly coloured paintings that depict stories of the various times from history and mythology. The motifs of design of the Chitra-Bhagawat have become of traditional style of the paintings of Assam and are even in practice to this date.
Seeking ‘Green Gold’ amidst the dense forests – Importance of Bamboo in the Handicrafts Industry and also the lifestyle of the people of Assam!
The North East of India has a vast area of its land under forest cover. Although this size has decreased over the years due to random felling of trees for the purposes of timber and the use of forest land for construction purposes but still the area under cover is noteworthy. The State of Assam has a total of 27,673 Sq. Km. forest cover. This area is 24.58% of the total geographical area of the state and also 3.2% of India’s total forest cover. These forests are home to some exotic species of Flora, Fauna and Avi Fauna. The endangered species of the likes of the Indian One Horned Rhinoceros, the Capped and Golden Langurs seek shelter in the forest covers of the National Parks of Assam. One noteworthy product of the forests of Assam is the ‘Poor Man’s Timber’ – the Bamboo plant.
Bamboo or ‘Bambuseae’, is a tribe of flowering perennial evergreen plants and one of the most versatile grasses found on Earth. This amazing grass is extremely fast growing and can be harvested and put to use very soon. For centuries now, people have been using bamboo for almost everything from food to construction. Bamboo can be used as a wood substitute for construction work and also for making furniture. Other products from Bamboo include paper, cloth, handicraft items, weapons and musical instruments from bamboo. While the shoots and other tender parts of the plant are used to make pickles and other food items.
Today, with the growing competition the craft of making bamboo furniture and utensils has also been revamped. Manufacturers are using bamboo to makes Sofa sets, Weaved bamboo blind and screen, Barbecue sticks, Fruit forks, Party picks and many more. Though the aim is to capture the foreign markets, the traditional designs and patterns used are equally popular among youth who relive their heritage by giving patronage to this ancient craft. Not only is Bamboo used only for making products of Interior Decor. People of Assam are well aware of the tensile strength of this material and they have experimented this across many generations. Results of these tests have led to Bamboo being used in construction of Homes and Cottages mostly by the Tribal people. Small thatched houses made from Bamboo are a sight to be spotted across the entire States of North East India. People have also perfected in the use of Bamboo to make Bridges across the many small rivers of Assam. These bridges are of high tensile strength and easily can allow transportation of people and two wheelers across the rivers of the State.
The people of Assam and expert craftsmen when its comes to making of extrinsic Handicrafts and Handlooms. The handicrafts made from Bamboo look exquisite and are exported across the World. Although most of the people use Bamboo handicrafts for their own personal use in their households but in recent times these products have caught global attention and people from across the World visit Assam to witness these age old practices of Handicrafts in the villages of Assam. During your journey across Assam you will find many number of small shops that sell these exquisite Handicrafts.
Exclusive Bamboo Lamps for interior decor to heighten your romantic evenings ~ Guwahati ~ Assam ~ India
Treading through the Silk Route of Assam – Visiting the Grandeur of Assam Silk, Bijoynagar and Suwalkuchi, Assam, India!
I have resided out of Assam for 12 years at the IT capital of India, ‘Bangalore’. I never thought of returning back to my state due to the career prospects and this made me adopt the culture and language of Karnataka. I enjoyed living in Bangalore (as many others who reside here and fall in love with the city, the climate and the night life). I made many friends in Karnataka, both localities and residents from other states. Though many of my friends belonged from various states in India they knew one thing about Assam and that one thing I was always asked to get back from my visit to Assam was ‘Assam Silk’. After my vacation I ensured to carry this gift ‘Assam Silk Sarees’ for the near and dear ones of my friends. Their joy knew no bounds on seeing the silk and I was rewarded with something unique from their state from handicrafts of Odisha and Rajasthan to the exclusive ‘Kashmiri Pashmina’. And this practice continued for many years.
Years passed and one fine day I decided to leave Bangalore and return back to Assam. I was lucky to get a job here and with all my belongings I returned to Assam on 19th November, 2014. At the beginning I never liked Assam and always wanted to get out of this place. But as people say – ‘Distance makes the hearts grow fonder’ I wanted to relive my life in Assam and God did give me this opportunity (Must be the bell I tied at the Tiling Mandir/Bell Temple). So once I was back I decided to explore the state and on every Sunday I would set out for a day of adventure in and around Guwahati. My visits took me to Mayong – the Land of Black Magic, Chandubi Lake, the Kamakhaya Temple, the Umanananda temple, Hajo and many other nearby places in Guwahati. But one of my most memorable visits has been to Bijoynagar.
Situated 50 kilometers from Guwahati is what we can call ‘the Haven for pure Silk lovers – the town of Bijonagar’. The hours spent on ‘Google’ for ‘Assam Silk’ lead me to this place in search on a person named Mr. Narmohan Das. Das Da, as people in the area call him, is a revered person in this silk village. A visionary, an Entrepreneur and most strongly a man who believes in realizing his dream. A one man army who transformed this not so well known village to a place where people from all over the world come to visit. My interaction with Das Da made me realize a blunder I have been committing for all these years. His in depth knowledge of the silks of Assam made me realize that there is no fabric known as Assam Silk! Assam silk constitutes of three main categories of silk namely – the ‘golden Muga’, the ‘white Pat’ and the warm ‘Eri silk’. A person selling/buying/gifting a fabric called as Assam Silk is committing a blunder (so did I) because no fabric as such exists!
Mr. Narmohan Das is a one the prominent person in Assam who is keeping the practice of Silk worm rearing alive. These indigenous fabrics of Assam has lost its significance to the many cheap imitations in the market and people like Das Da is striving to keep this tradition alive battling against all odds. Bringing in variations to the fabric has helped in achieving this objective to a great extent. Eri silk dyed in natural colors like turmeric, tea, cow-dung, etc. has began gaining international recognition and these fabrics are exported worldwide from this small village. ‘Stoles of Eri Silk’ and ‘Silk for Kimono’s’ in Japan are certain other exclusive products available only with Das Da. The ‘Queen of England’ is a regular buyer of Das da’s silk and one exclusive material that ships out every year are carpets made out of ‘Muga Silk’ – all the way from tinsel town in Bijoynagar to the Palace of Buckingham in England. Over 300 weavers from across villages in and around Bijoynagar are toiling day and night with Mr. Narmohan Das to keep this treasure of Assam alive and renowned across all corners of the world.
The grandeur of silks of Assam have been penned down by many writers and can continue across many pages but wouldn’t end without the mention of ‘Suwalkuchi – the Mansheter of the East’. Located 35km away from Guwahati on the northern bank of the river Brahmaputra, is the renowned silk-weaving centre Sualkuchi. Often known as the Manchester of the East, it is one of world’s largest weaving villages. Sualkuchi is famed for its ‘Muga’ silk, i.e the natural golden silk (not dyed) of Assam which is not produced anywhere else in the world. Other varieties like ‘Endi’ or ‘Tassar’ and ‘Pat’ silks are also woven here.
A picturesque town, Suwalkuchi is surrounded by a forest range, well-tended agricultural fields and the numerous village fishing ponds to complete the rustic picture. Rich in ecological diversity, both migratory and exotic local birds are sighted here, in addition to important mammals such as porcupines, Rhesus monkey, Hog deer, Barking deer, rabbits, Gangetic dolphins etc. Over 30 species of butterflies, moths, beetles, bugs, caterpillars, ants and bees add to the ‘buzz’ of life at the Silk town of Assam. Apart from its silk weaving Suwalkuchi is also famous for the popular for its annual boat festival. This race is organized to commemorate the death anniversary of Srimanta Sankardev (1449 -1568). Srimanta Sankardev is considered as a colossal figure in the cultural and religious history of Assam. In the year 1965 a rowing competition committee was formed not only to revive this old age tradition but also to strengthen the harmony ,unity and integrity amongst the people belonging to different cast and communities of the area. Both Hindus and Muslims participate in it with equal enthusiasm.
Eri Silk dyed with Cowdung Natural Dye
Eri Silk dyed with Tea Powder Natural Dye
Eri Silk dyed with Turmeric Natural Dye
Eri Silk dyed with Haritaki Natural Dye
The Traditional Silk of Assam – Mekhela Chador
The White Pat Silk of Assam
The Traditional Silk of Assam – Mekhela Chador
The White Pat Silk of Assam
Traditional Assam Silk
Welcome to the Silk Town of Assam and Manchester of East ~ Suwalkuchi ~ Assam ~ India
Welcome to the Silk Town of Assam ~ Suwalkuchi ~ Assam ~ India
The Bell Metal Crafts of Sarthebari in Assam ~Â
Assam’s metal products – made of bell metal and brass – are not only in use in every household in the State but also have an international market. While utensils dishes, plates, tumblers and bowls of these metals are found in use in every home, musical instruments like bells and large gongs travel all the way into numerous Buddhist Monasteries in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar apart from the neighbouring states like West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Bihar. Utensils specially made for religious rituals on the other hand have a huge market in temples, naam-ghars as well as in domestic prayer rooms.
While Hajo, about 25 kms from Guwahati is famous for its bell metal cottage industry, manufacture of brass metal items is a household activity in the villages of Sarthebari about 100 km west of Guwahati. Bell metal items are of major utilitarian and aesthetic value in Assam; they are inseparable items in marriage and religious ceremonies, eating on bell metal dishes is considered good for health. Most common bell metal items include cymbals, bhog-jora, baan-kanhi, baan-baati, pik-daani, etc. while huge cymbals and gongs in most Buddhist Monasteries across the country are also made in Assam. The most popular brass metal product on the other hand is the sorai – a traditional utensil for ceremonial offering of betel nuts and betel leaves used during weddings and other social rituals, as also in welcoming guests as souvenir.
With our Mission of promoting India’s North East to the World through its Tourism, Culture, Tribes, Wildlife & Handicrafts, Jungleideas brings forth to you to the option of owning these prized Bell Metal crafts of Assam at your doorstep. We work closely with the manufacturers of Bell Crafts at Sarthebari and Hajo and ensure to bring to you 100% genuine and original products that will bring a bewildering grandeur to your dining needs. We urge you to take a look at our offerings in Bell Metal products and place your order at the earliest to reap the benefits and save this dying art from India’s Paradise Unexplored ~ the Incredible North East of India!
Handicrafts and Handloom Tour of Assam and Meghalaya Itinerary ~
Day 1 ~ Guwahati – Suwalkuchi – Guwahati
Arrive at the Guwahati airport. Upon arrival you will be received by our representative offering you a warm welcome in a traditional Assamese way. Board your comfortable vehicles and drive to Suwalkuchi. Often referred to as the ‘Manchester of the East’ – Suwalkuchi is home to the highest concentration of traditional weavers anywhere in the World. At Suwalkuchi we will visit the Silk Museum showroom here that sells gorgeous silk sarees and mekhela chadors of Muga silk, Pat silk, Tussar Silk and Ghisa silk as well. We will also visit the owner’s home where there is a small setup where weavers weave these handmade glorious attires and check out first hand the silk weaving art of Suwalkuchi. Later in the day we will return to Guwahati and check into your comfortable Hotel. If time permits we will visit the North East Museum of Handicrafts and Handlooms. Evening visit the Balaji Temple near your Hotel.
Night Stay: Hotel Vrinda Residency
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2 ~ Guwahati – Mawsynram – Shillong
Today in the morning after an early breakfast we drive to Mawsynram village near Shillong. Mawsynram records the highest rainfall anywhere in the World and hence is referred to as the Wettest Place on Planet Earth. This climatic conditions favour the growth of bamboo trees in abundance here and people have made themselves adept in weaving out exquisite handicrafts of bamboo here at Mawsynram. Take a walk around the Mawsynram, market where you get to see various bamboo handicrafts like baskets, trays, boxes, etc. put up for sale. Later in the day travel to Shillong – the Scotland of the East. At shillong, we will first check into your Guest House at the Laban area here. In the evening we will go out to explore the Ward’s lake area in Shillong. Later visit the Police Bazar market in Shillong where you will get to witness additional showrooms that display and sell various forms of traditional handicrafts and handlooms of Meghalaya. return to your Guest house for night halt.
Night Stay: Sunrise Guest House Shillong
Meals Included:Â Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3 ~ Shillong – Cherrapunji – Shillong
Today we will travel to Cherrapunji – the land of the Caves and waterfalls and the Second Wettest place on earth. At cherrapunji we will visit the Nohkalikai falls – India’s tallest plunge waterfall. Admire the beauty of the crystal clear waters of the Nohkalikai falls. Take a walk around the area of the Nohkalikai falls where there are numerous small shops selling traditional Khasi woodcrafts and also fresh spices brought in from the nearby forest reserves like peppercorns, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, ground turmeric, etc. Savour fresh fruits like pineapples here as well. Later travel to the Mawsmai caves in Cherrapunji. A prehistoric cave a visit to the Mawsmai caves will highlight the various stalactites and stalagmites here. Take a walk inside the cave area and admire this natural wonder. Later visit the Seven Sister Falls – India’s fourth tallest waterfall. Take a break for lunch at the Orange Roots Restaurant here in Cherrapunji and savour vegetarian cuisine at its best. Later visit the majestic Arwah caves in Cherrapunji. After this we return to Shillong for night halt.
Night Stay: Sunrise Guest House Shillong
Meals Included:Â Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4 ~ Shillong – Kaziranga National Park
Today we will depart from Shillong to travel to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kaziranga National Park. On the way we will halt at Raha near Nagaon to witness the various roadside stalls here that sell bamboo and cane handicrafts of Assam. We will halt for lunch at Nagaon at an authentic Assamese Dhaba. We continue our drive to Kaziranga National Park. Arrive at Kaziranga National Park and at first visit the Kaziranga Orchid Park – the Largest Orchid Park in India. At the Kaziranga Orchid Park we will admire the various indigenous orchid species of Assam and North East India and get to see the various bamboo crafts, musical instruments and tool used by the indigenous people of Assam since times immemorial. Also there is a traditional handloom weaving section on display here as well where we will get to see the weaving practices of the Mishing people of Assam. Admire the intricate workmanship of the female weavers who display their art by weaving on a loom. We will also explore the rice museum, the souvenir shop and the cactus garden here. Later we will get to witness the closing ceremony of the day at the open amphitheatre area where various boys and girls will display the traditional folk dances of Assam like the bamboo dance if the bihu dance. Wind up the day and check into your Eco camp at Kaziranga National Park.
Night Stay: Nature Hunt Eco Camp at Kaziranga
Meals Included:Â Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 ~ Kaziranga National Park – Majuli Island
Early morning go for an Elephant Safari ride into the interiors of Kaziranga National Park from the Bagori Safari range here. Admire the varied flora, fauna and avifauna of the UNESCO World Heritage Site riding on an Elephant back. Later come back to your Eco Camp and after breakfast travel into the interiors of Kaziranga National Park on a Jeep safari at the Central Safari range. After your Jeep safari ride is over we travel to our next destination – the Largest river island in the World of Majuli. Arrive at the Neemati ghat by 2 PM to catch your ferry to Majuli Island. Arrive at Majuli by 4 PM and check into your ethnic stay in Majuli. In the evening we will visit the Uttar Kamalabari Satra in Majuli island where we get to witness the performance of the Sattriya Nritya. The Sattriya Nritya is one among the 8 classical dance forms of India and is performed only by the male members of the Satra accompanied by gracious movements of the hands and feet. After the performance return to your homestay.
Night Stay: La Maison De Ananda at Majuli
Meals Included:Â Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6 ~ Majuli Island
Today we explore the various Satras of Majuli Island in the morning. At first we visit the Sri Sri Auniati Satra to admire the grandeur of the Neo Vaishnavite monastery and to explore the museum here that has on display relics from the Ahom era. Later we travel to the Samaguri Satra in Majuli Island which is renowned for its art of traditional mask making. Admire the masking making art here that has been kept alive by the Satradhikar of this Satra Dr. Hemchandra Goswami. Witness the demonstration of these masks in practice as used during the performance of the traditional plays called as Bhaonas. Next we proceed to the Salmora village to witness the traditional art of pottery making with hands here. Visit a local home here and get to witness first hand how the ladies here only use their hands (no pottery wheel) to make these pottery products. After lunch we visit a local Mishing tribe village where we witness people constructing homes using bamboo and also visit a local home where Mishing ladies keep a loom and witness traditional handloom weaving in the largest river island in the World. Our days ends here and we return back to your Homestay.
Night Stay: La Maison De Ananda at Majuli
Meals Included:Â Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7 ~ Majuli Island – Guwahati
Today we proceed on our journey back to Guwahati. On the way we will stop at the Kaliabhomora bridge to catch a sight of the endangered river dolphin species here at the Dolphin viewpoint. Arrive at Guwahati by afternoon. At Guwahati if time permits we will visit the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra where we admire the heritage of the indigenous people of Assam here at the Kalakshetra and return to your hotel for night halt.
Night Stay: Hotel Vrinda Residency
Meals Included:Â Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8 ~ Kamakhya Temple and Guwahati Airport
After breakfast we drive to the Holy temple shrine of Maa Kamakhya Temple located atop the Nilachal Hills in Guwahati. The Kamakhya Temple is among the 51 Shakti Peethas in India and is the holiest temple shrine in North East India. Seek the blessing of Goddess Kamakhya here to be blessed by a Temple panda. After your darshan we drop you off at the Guwahati airport for your onward destination. Tour ends. Bid adieu!
Night Stay: NA
Meals Included:Â Breakfast
Some Captures with our Guests from USA on a Tour of Handicrafts and Handlooms of Assam and Meghalaya
As mentioned, Assam is home to numerous indigenous tribes who have inhabited the place since times immemorial and they have known the art of weaving their own clothes and handlooms and even today the women folks take their time to work on the looms and create some of the very elaborate handloom works like the ‘Dokhona’ – adorned by the Bodo women, the ‘Galle’ – adorned by the Mishing women, the traditional wrap – adorned by the Singpho women, etc. Across Assam, when you visit the valleys and the smaller towns you will find the homes of the indigenous people and at the porch of each home you will find a unique loom that is built with wood and the women folks of the house take some time out in a day to weave on these looms and create some of the finest handlooms known to man. Apart from the traditional handloom, Assam is known across the World for its three varieties of indigenous silks namely the Muga silk, the Eri Silk and the Paat silk. The cotton ‘Gamusa’ is a pride of every Assamese and it is a hand woven towel that is offered to a guest as a way of welcoming the person in the community. Suwalkuchi – the Manchester of the East is the largest silk weaving village in the World and the palace has various outlets where visitors can buy these exquisite silks of Assam and also they can go to visit any of the silk workshops here to witness the weaving of the silks of Assam on the traditional looms where the skilled weavers weave out some of the very fine and unique silk Mekhela chadors of Assam.
It can be said that the handloom weaving is one of the very old cottage industries of Assam and these handlooms are known for their fine textures and designs and a lot of work is put into weaving one silk Mekhela Chador or sari of Assam and hence the prices of these products are also more when compared to the machine woven cotton silks. The Muga silk variants of Assam was first known to have been found by the Bodo people of Assam is often referred to as the Golden Silk and this is due to the unique texture and colour of the fabric that is a rich symbol of the Assamese culture. The Bodo people of Assam who inhabit the Baksa and Kokrajhar districts of Assam used to eat the silkworms and they had a unique recipe of frying these silk worms with roselle leaves to prepare the dish and it was they who realized that the silks of Assam could be used to various attires.
The place they inhabit is filled with mulberry trees as these places fall under the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity and these Muga silk worms feed on this special mulberry tree leaves the give out the Muga silk and as no other place in the World can make this Mulberry tree variant to grown due to the climatic conditions and so the Muga silk can be considered as indigenous to Assam only. Muga silk is often called as the ‘King of Silk’ and no wonder the price of the Mekhela Chadors woven with the Muga silk are above INR 20,000 and are worn by the Assamese women only on a special occasion like marriage. The Muga silk cannot be dyed separately due to its porosity of the yarn and the colour it gives out is completely natural and it can be only washed with hands and the lustre of the Muga silk Mekhela Chador get better with each wash. The Muga Silk fabric is much more superiors than any other silk and one Mekhela Chador last very long and this makes the price very expensive as well.
Another important silk variety of Assam that has gained much attraction around the World because of the process of silk extraction – ‘The silk worms are not killed during the extraction of this silk variety of Assam and the cocoon are open ended that allow the moths to grow and fly away and the empty cocoons are left behind for the artists to extract the silk fibres and weave out the silk yarn from the cocoon’. This silk variety of Assam is called as the Eri Silk and the variety is gaining prominence as the Ahimsa silk around the World. The Eri silk is also referred to as the Endi or the Errandi silk and this name is derived from the word ‘Erranda’ that means Castor in Assamese and the name supports the silk worm that produces the Eri Silk as it feeds on the leaves of the Castor plant. The main thing about the Eri Silk is that it is a warm silk and the Eri silk is used to make shawls and wraps that protect the people from the harsh winters. The Eri silk shawl might not look very appealing because of its natural brown colour but once you use it you will come to know how warm it can keep you in the winters.
Also the fresh woven shawls from the Eri silk of Assam is very coarse to hold but once you wash it and keep using it, the silk gets much softer. The porosity of the Eri silk is not like the Muga silk and hence the silk can be dyed and the weavers who weave the shawls out of the Eri silk yarn use various organic colours to dye this silk variety of Assam. Organic roots like turmeric is used to derive the yellow colour, tea is used to derive a black colour, Onion skin is used to derive a maroon colour and so on and these natural dyes are permanent on the silk and are not lost while washing. The Eri silk fabric is very durable and this fabric is often passed down from one generation to another for preserving the traditions of the family. The Eri silk is produced across Assam, the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya and certain belts of Arunachal Pradesh only and this is due to the presence of the castor leaves that is used to feed the Eri silk worms. Though the original Eri silk is only found across the above mentioned places, a lot of artificial Eri silk products are also available in the market these days and one has to be very careful in identifying the silk before purchasing it.
Another silk variety of Assam is that of the Paat silk that is also called as the Mulberry silk and the silkworms that yield this silk variety feed on the leaves of the mulberry plant. This silk variety of Assam has a shiny colour to its surface and it looks bright white and because of this texture of the fabric of the Paat silk, it is widely in demand across the World especially in the fashion World. The Paat silk of Assam is also an affordable silk variety when compared to the Muga silk and hence many of the Assamese women buy this silk variety to be used on special occasions as well and this Pat silk is often provided to the family members of during the marriage while the bride is gifted with the Muga silk mekhela chadors. Another very important handloom product of Assam is the ‘Gamusa’ that is a very distinct identity of the culture of the people of Assam that holds an important place is the various religious and socio-economic ceremonies of Assam. The Gamusa is basically a white rectangular cloth towel that is hand woven and has borders of red cotton and various designs of the Assamese community hand woven on this cloth. They can be very simple in design or very exquisite as well. The Gamusa is used to honour guests on special occasions, cover the altar or Holy Scriptures at the Namghar, etc.
When it comes to the bell metal industry of Sarthebari it can be said that it is one of the very traditional artisan industry of Assam and also a very famous cottage industry of Assam. The history of the bell metal handicraft of Assam is dated back to the 7th century and the royal kings of that time used to present these bell metal handicraft utensils to various other royal dynasties. The bell metal that are handicrafts of Assam are known to possess several healing qualities and people eating from these utensils or even drinking water in the glasses made of these bell metal utensils are known to never have any stomach related ailments. The bell metal utensils are still used in the families of the villages and during the earlier times use of this handicraft of Assam was popular among the royals as well as the common people. The various range of products that are handcrafted with the bell metal are utensils like Kahi (dish), bati (bowl), Koloh (water vessel), Ban Bati (bowl with stand), Bota (offering for betel nut), Xorai (used for religious offering), ‘Tema’ (box to keep ornaments and betel nut) and also the various musical instruments like Taal (Cymbal), flower vase, lamp stands, decorative stands, trays, etc.
The bell metal handicrafts of Assam is a cottage industry of Assam mostly focussed at the Sarthebari area of Assam and there are various stores across Guwahati as well as online stores that sell these bell metal handicrafts of Assam. This bell metal industry of Assam is said to provide employment to around more than 1500 people across the Sarthebari area of Assam and also to various suppliers of charcoal and selling of scrap bell metal. The bell metal handicraft of Assam not only finds a market in the state but also across other states and countries around Assam. The countries of Nepal and Bhutan also need these cymbals that are made up of bell metal and they find their place in the Buddhist Monasteries and across India these cymbals are sold across places like Darjeeling, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh where there is a sufficient Buddhism population.
Another important handicraft of Assam is that of brass metal that is focussed in the Hajo area near Guwahati. This industry as a handicraft of Assam was very well established in the other days and in the skilled artisan who marked on these brass metals are known to be from the copper coins and plates that were issued in the past in Sadiya. Today around 300 families are involved in the brass metal handicrafts of Assam.
Firework craft of Barpeta
Another very important craft of Assam that found honour and recognition from the government of Assam is the fireworks handicrafts of Barpeta that is almost dating back to the past 100 years and it was started in around 1885. The industry found recognition by the British as well for producing good qualities of fireworks and this handicraft industry of Assam was even awarded with a gold medal by the then Queen Victoria and along with it two Bighas of land was allocated for the purpose of increasing the production of this handicraft and Assam as well. The firework handicraft of Assam is engaging many local people in work and this is mostly a household product that is when families engage in the production of these fireworks with the help of hired labour. Apart from creating the handicrafts with hands, these families also extend help for production of other handicrafts of Assam as well and they extend their production units to local people for making bamboo charkha, produce jute ropes, paper roll makers, etc. It is said that around 100 employees are directly involved in the manufacturing of firework handicraft of Assam and the number goes up during the pre-festival season mostly during the period that extends from Durga Puja to Diwali. This is a very ancient handicraft work of Assam and even today the local people who are engaged in the fireworks making still follow the traditional process and methods of producing these fireworks handicrafts of Assam that makes use of traditional tools like hand pounding machine called as Dheki, Kerahi, hammer, etc.
Bamboo Crafts of Assam
North East India is home to around 90 species of bamboo out of the total 136 species found in the country and this is what makes bamboo a very important some of timber for the local people of North East India and Assam as well. Bamboo belonging to the grass family has one very unique characteristic that it grows back very fast and hence it can be used as an alternate source to timber. Across North East India, there are around 1500 recorded uses of bamboo and a very important use of this bamboo is in the use of making of very exquisite handicrafts of Assam. Bamboo apart from its use in handicraft industry of Assam is also used in the production of paper and the two paper units at Jagiroad and Cachar have made use of bamboo to produce paper efficiently thereby saving a lot of trees from getting chopped for the single use of paper production. But the most popular use in the cottage industry of Assam is the making of exquisite handicraft items of bamboo. Across the villages of Assam, bamboo is cultivated widely and it could be said that the various households grow bamboo and this has gained to be an important part of the socio-economic life of the people of Assam. Bamboo as craft is mostly a household industry and it occupies a very important place among the various other handicrafts of Assam. Bamboo craft as an industry provides full time occupation to skilled artisans who produce various handicrafts like fine decorative baskets, furniture’s, mats, decorative items, etc. on a commercial scale as well. Bamboo handicraft making is mostly a rural industry of Assam and it is because of the availability of this bamboo species in the villages is high and therefore the artisans make extensive use of this bamboo product to create various handicrafts of Assam like mats, baskets, fishing traps, etc.
The most essential equipment’s that are needed to create the bamboo handicrafts are the Dao and knife that are practically available across every household in the villages of Assam and so the family members can take part in the making of these bamboo handicrafts of Assam. These village bamboo handicrafts that are not intended for commercial sale are mostly used for the household purposes only and only the professional artisans who specialize in the bamboo handicrafts of Assam prepare these bamboo handicrafts to sell their products in the local and global markets. When it comes to commercial use of bamboo for handicraft making then it can be said that it is focussed in the districts of Nagaon, Darrang and Cachar. Also it is said that in the Karimganj district the artisans are engaged in bamboo handicraft works of Assam to create mats that are locally called as ‘Dhara’ Jharia or Darma and literally thousands of people find a source of employment in this bamboo handicraft artwork of Assam. These bamboo mats are very useful in construction of temporary walls and sheds, making pandals, dwelling homes, etc.
Cane Crafts of Assam
Another very popular handicraft of Assam is the cane craft and as 14 different species of cane grows in the dense forests of the state, so it has become a very dominant cottage industry of Assam and one particular item that is a very exquisite handicraft derived from cane is that of the furniture’s including sofa sets that are weaved out of cane as a raw material. The can extraction is a complicated process from the dense forests around here and hence the price of these products go higher when compared to bamboo and the end product when properly varnished looks very shining and elegant and also cane handicraft products have a much longer life compared to the bamboo crafts of Assam. The tools that are needed to make these cane handicraft furniture’s are simple tools like hammers, pliers, nails, etc. Cachar district of Assam is known to be the most popular district that employs artists for the cane handicraft furniture’s of Assam and apart from the furniture handicrafts cane is also used to create other Assam handicrafts like boxes, cradles, office items, cane stools, tiffin trays, waste paper basket, sofas, etc.
Two other famous handicrafts of Assam that are mostly practiced around the tea gardens of the state are that of handicrafts from dry tea bushes and also the various wood carvings and these can be seen at the area around Kaziranga National Park that is also becoming an important centre for the handicrafts of Assam. As thousands of tourists visit these famed UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kaziranga National Park that is known to be the home of the highest population of the Indian One Horned Rhinoceros and therefore the local artists have found the idea to market their products across the stalls of the market area of Kaziranga National Park where they illustrate the various handicraft works carved out of the dry tea bushes and wood carvings. The dried tea bushes are used to create various decorative products including table tops and once you place the glass on top of the table it looks absolutely grand and improves the décor of the living room of the place. Estimated around 250 people are involved in this handicraft work of Assam and therefore this is now finding a place in the market demand and therefore this is also becoming a popular handicraft work of Assam.
The wood carving handicraft of Assam is mostly concentrated around the Sonitpur areas and the Kaziranga areas of Assam. The artists who practice this handicraft use dried trees to carve out various figures like rhinos, elephants, decorative wall hangings, etc. Another very important handicraft of Assam is that of the Arecanut leaf that are used sheaths to create various disposable plates and bowls. These plates and bowls have now found good recognition and as Areca nut trees are found in abundance across Assam and the neighbouring states (because people chew this with the betel leaf along with lime that help in digestion) and so there is no lack of the resource to create the bowls and plates. The products are finding good place to replace the plastic plates and bowls because these are completely eco-friendly and biodegradable and also they can hold liquid for about 4-6 hours. These areca nut leaf plates and bowls are natural and attractive and also they are sturdy and not easily crushable. One good thing about this handicraft industry of Assam is that the areca nut sheaths can be stored for around 9-12 months without damage and they need to be sun dried before storage.
One very noteworthy handicraft of Assam as well as North East India is the making of Sitalpati that is mostly a mat that is woven with Murta Cane and this is known to keep the place cool and hence it is a cooling mat. The raw material for this Sitalpati is found growing mostly in the marshy and water logged area and they are found in the choked up ponds and the damp hilly slopes across Assam. This handicraft industry of Assam is mostly a home based industry and is found in the districts of Karimganj, Cachar and Golapara. In this handicraft form of Assam that is mostly a household industry, generally the men folks prepare the cane slips and women take the effort of weaving the cane slips to make the final Sitalpati. The preparations to prepare the cane Sitalpati requires a lot of effort from the collection, cleaning to weaving of the Sitalpati and so the products turn out to be a little expensive when it comes to other forms of mats. Another form of the handicrafts of Assam is crafts that are weaved out of aqua hyacinth and these products have found a global market because of the aesthetic beauty and the biodegradable use of the handicraft weaved out from water hyacinth.
These water hyacinths are found across the various lakes and ponds and earlier these found no use and instead they caused harm to the water bodies by sucking in the nutrients that instead would support the aqua life and therefore and idea was found to make use of water hyacinth in the form of using it in organic manure, mulching materials by farmers, animal feed for buffaloes and cows and mostly now as handicrafts where the water hyacinth is now used to create various craft items including furniture and various baskets that have a very good aesthetic appeal to the handicraft of Assam. These handicraft weaving from water hyacinth came as a great relief to the weavers who were engaged in weaving with cane and due to unavailability and rising costs on production of handicrafts from cane, these workers had a tough time and the introduction of the weaving with water hyacinth came as a respite and the strands that are extracted from the water hyacinth can be weaved out just like cane and hence it finds potential in weaving of basketry, bags and furniture’s and various decorative items as well. The cost effective weaving of such handicrafts allows the craftsmen to be more competitive with the pricing that allows them to compete in the modern markets. The demand for these water hyacinth handicrafts of Assam is huge in the International market and so the units have to ramp up production to cater to this demand in the market. And there is no problem in finding the raw material and this can be found across the numerous lakes and ponds of Assam and so the artisans find it easy to work with this raw material to create these handicrafts of Assam in the form of baskets and containers. Certain of the other handicrafts produced are hand woven bags, baskets, sofas, lamp shades, etc.
