Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Gamosa -Its Undeniable Importance In Assam

GAMOSA...A Gamosa is basically a hand woven white rectangular piece of cloth with primarily a red border on three sides and a red woven motif on the fourth.In Assam it is equally used by all irrespective of status,religious and ethnic backgrounds.One can't imagine any kind of social-events,religious ones,cultural event  or even important official-or political meetings taking place in Assam without a Gamosa. Gamosa is of great significance for the people of Assam.A Gamosa has many uses....in a general Assamese household it is used like as a towel ,i use or prefer them to towels as gamosas are very soft because they are cent-percent cotton made,easy to maintain,take very less space in a washing machine and dry pretty faster than a regular towel.......i am little uncomfortable in using hotel towels so i always carry a couple of gamosas with me.My folks at Delhi have already informed me to bring them new supply of gamosas as they are running short of these.

Gamosa is used to cover the altar at the prayer halls and the holy scriptures are covered by it...Farmers use it as a waistcloth(tongali)and a bihu dancer wraps it around his head into a knot.Guests are welcomed with the offerings of Gamosa.....so anyone of you who plans to visit me is ensured one....this is really practised not only at my house but in each and every Assamese household.During our Bihu festival we offer gamosas(BIHUWAAN) to the elder members of our families or to even family friends and elder people in neighbourhood as a mark of respect.....we dont just give it just like that ,its a tradition to first touch their feet and than present them gamosa.This bihu we bought more than 50 gamosas(my ma-in-law was not very happy about it as her loom was not assembled ...she loves to weave gamosas and before bihu arrives she is ready with a gamosa for each member and relative of our family).The gamosa shown below is woven by her.

18 comments:

  1. gorgeous cloths, reminds me of swedish embroidery. I've done some weaving so I appreciate all the skill required to make this important item. Interesting traditions and their applications.

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  2. Very nice and beautiful post.Though I have visited Assam long long back but still I have kept Gamosa safely and it was the first thing which I purchased.

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  3. Nice post. we also call ghamchhaa ...
    traditional work is inspiring.

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  4. Long back, I remember wearing a saree like this one. I had bought it in some exhibition. It was with me for a long time. I like cotton sarees, have got 6 bengal cottons!

    Your mother-in-law must be an artistic person. I know it is not easy to sit and do this saree at home. Great.

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  5. ur mother-in-law rocks. I like the idea of a soft towel, especially since I have had severe sun-burns from the terrible Delhi summers.

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  6. just landed via kishorejis blog........and felt d fragrance of assam through gamosa.

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  7. Namaskar!aur agli baar borma se gamosa jarur lenge

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  8. gorgeous cloths!! do you know if they are available in the US at all??

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  9. thanks thanks thanks my dear friend

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  10. this is beautiful and so personal at the same time. I'll try to try this with my future family

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  11. lovely! love the textiles of our states! we are such a rich country in our arts and crafts!

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  12. lovely, i always thought it's a saree though! India has such a rich art and culture heritage!

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