motif
Muga (meaning "golden brown) is one of 3 silks made in Assam, the others being Paat (white silk) and Eri (woollen silk). Most commonly today, Muga and Paat are the materials used for the “mekhela-chaddar,” the two-piece dress worn by Assamese women. Every mekhela-chaddar has its own unique embroidery, with both simple and complex motifs woven throughout the dress. Complex design schemes can take up to six months to complete on a traditional wooden handloom. 

Woven patterns are a form of storytelling reflecting the local environment and daily life. Typical motifs are renderings of nature, such as a flower, tree, bird, or house. The motifs depicted here are from a private collection.