Guwahati: Handlooms can be termed one of the most important aspects of the Assamese tradition as well as India as a whole. With it being important to the nation as well, India has been celebrating August 7 as National Handloom Day which was first inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015.
The nation celebrates the day to honor the weaving communities for their contribution to the social-economic development of the country.
Well, every state or zone has its own tradition in terms of handlooms. Even, the attires or the products of these handlooms vary from state to state.
And once we connect the handloom to Assam, we need to mention the Mekhala Chador or Mekhela Sador. People usually confuse it for a saree but that is completely a different deal. Sarees are a one-piece costume while the Assamese Mekhela is a two-piece costume and by no means are these two same.
They are made of silk mostly. And the quality of the Mekhela varies as per the materials and time invested in it. A traditional full set of the Mekhela Chador may take up to 25 days to come into final shape. Well, even the price may go up to a lakh or even multiple lakhs.