“MEKHALA”
on my journey on the Indian textile when I was criss-crossing the State
of Assam – the land that offers excellent ground for fishing and hunting, where
still birch bark canoes are used to cross distances, I came across traditional
attire of Assam known as Mekhala chadar.
They were of three pieces (like the South-Indian half saree) – a skirt
like a sarong, a blouse and an additional piece of cloth draped over the
shoulder. The Mekhla (or the skirt) is known for its shine that comes from the
muga silk unique to Assam. The fabric is grown and weaved in almost every
second household of a village. Infact, in every Assamesse house, one can
notice a separate room where looms are fixed. In the afternoon hours, women
folk enters the room and begins weaving with loom echoing the sound all over
tuck a tick , tuck a tick.
Inspired by the magic of fabric, its design and texture, I tried to
innovate something which symbolizes it aesthetically. While working on the
mekhla , I have tried to incorporate elements of that sorts in my designs.
Beautiful drapes and mix of fine constructions will bring out the beauty of it
by retaining original elements will generate a larger interest. Folds, twists
and the turns in the garment symbolize complex lanes and architectural design
of the villages. The vibrant colour pallet of the collection gives a feel of
the brightness of their lifestyle. A random fall in the garment sometimes
surprises you when it appears like a flower. Something which separates muga
silk from mekhala chadar is its motives. So I have contemporized it with fine
cut work and surface texturing of wool and metallic thread.
Over all the collection will make its viewers believe that an Indian
traditional textile is glamorous enough to compete with global fashion race.
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