A cup of Assam Tea

  If you follow my blog, you must have read my last two weeks' posts on "Quebec City...rekindles and reminisces romance with the past" and "Where to eat in Quebec City.   During our last visit to Quebec City, we visited Montmorency Falls, located approximately 15 miles from the city.  83 meters high, with a picturesque landscape, is a must-visit for Quebec City.  A beautiful walk with a few vantage points where you can see the falls close, or from some, you can see a panoramic view of the falls. If you don't want to, you are still covered, as they also offer cable cars. If you're an outdoor enthusiast, you're covered. They also offer a zip line and rock climbing. It was an easy walk for us, and we were charmed by the beautiful view.  For this easy, breezy excursion, I chose a maxi dress and a denim jacket, and complemented this look with a piece of Assamese jewelry. More often than not, Assamese pieces of jewelry are worn with traditional attire. At the t...

Wearing Mekhela Chadar (two pieces of traditional Assamese attire) has always been my pride and pleasure. Last weekend, in my State of Connecticut, we had a small Bihu celebration with Assamese families residing here. The best part of the celebration was the good Assamese food, a few heartfelt performances from little ones and adults, and reminiscing about good old times with friends and family after two years.    As it was a post-Bihu celebration and a beautiful spring day, I wore a subtle Salmon color Mekhela Chadar and decided not to wear everything traditional but with some twists and turns. An Assamese outfit or Assamese design sensibility always comes with an understated and elegant sensibility and is never over the top or flashy. This pair of mekhela chadar totally vouches for that sensibility. Subtle salmon pink color with eri motifs and designs, and a hint of golden string (Guna), mina work (Enamel work). I teamed up with antique silver jewelry, and instead of a ...

Two years had passed by, and normal seemed like a distant dream. However, after two years, things slowly but surely began to return to normal. We are ready to welcome Spring festivals with all their glory as spring approaches. If you read my blog, you know that April marks the beginning of a new year in my birth state, Assam. We, the Assamese community in different states in the USA, celebrate the Assamese New Year and Bohag Bihu. This time, we visited Boston, where a vast Assamese community celebrated Bihu with great enthusiasm, featuring numerous cultural programs and a variety of delicious food. Visiting the Bihu festival in Boston after a two-year absence was an absolute joy. Meeting friends old and new was a fresh breath of air in our mundane Monton life.  Here comes the best part,  the outfit... I wore a  Muga   Mekhela Chadar  with lotus motifs in orange and maroon colors, and my hair with some weaves, teamed up with Assamese traditional jewelry and a Sab...

  Attending one of the Big 4 fashion weeks (New York, London, Milan, Paris) is on every fashion blogger's or fashion aficionado's bucket list. Checking in to the prestigious NYFW in Global Fashion Collective's Fall/Winter 2022 was an experience of a lifetime. This year, the Global Fashion Collective in NYFW F/W 2022 featured three designers: Luis Corrales, Sanjukta Dutta, and Young-Eun Lee.  Here, I am excited to cover my birth state and India's renowned designer, Sanjukta Dutta. Seen in celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Mary Kom, and Britain's Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, to the masses in Assam, who have brought Mekhela Chadar from the sublime land of Assam to the Global Frontiers.  Witnessing her immaculate and artful collection, Alphool, at NYFW F/W 2022 was my moment of pride and pleasure.  Engineer-turned-fashion designer  Sanjukta's  designs always speak volumes about creativity and indigenousness. Using a splash of vi...

 Lazy winter months in New England always transport me to Assam, to my home, sitting with my Dad , who always wore Eri sadar (Eri Shawl). Gone are the days; nevertheless, memories remain. That's how human life is interesting as you learn to live with the memories, celebrate, and sail into the future. While reminiscing about the good old days and my Dad and his Eri shawl, I decided to wear an Eri silk saree for a friend's small get-together. I In the time of COVID-19, small happiness like meeting a friend after a long time always gives so much joy. Here, for her get-together, I wore this black Eri silk saree with a red border and small motifs all over and teamed up with a traditional Assamese necklace called Biri. A drum-shaped pendant (Biri) with black and red stones makes it very interesting and traditional, yet quirky. And my hair is down naturally, and kohl-filled dark eyes and red lips. And last but not least, a red potli and a statement antique bangle rounded the look. ...

  Indian weddings encompass many beautiful ceremonies and traditions. In Assamese culture, Jurun is a pre-wedding ceremony. It usually occurs a day or two before the wedding day, sometimes even on the same day of the wedding. A tradition where the groom’s family, especially women, visit the bride's family to present the wedding trousseau (Mekhela chadar), jewelry, some makeup, and accessories. In my belief, a tradition that welcomes the bride to her new family with gifts, love, and blessings.  On the day of Jurun, Aam Dali godha (A stringed mango leaf) is a tradition and is tied over the door. It is believed that it will ward off all bad energy and bring good luck to the newlyweds. Usually, jurun happens in the morning or before noon. The goom does not accompany the group. Before going to the bride's home, the groom and his family get blessings from the people who gather for the jurun. Another tradition associated with Jurun is filling two small bell metal vases (called l...

Looking back at the beautiful bygone years, I transport myself to my Aita's (Grandmom) antique chest, where a neatly folded crisp and slightly golden-hued Muga silk chadar lies. I remember Aita telling me she weaved that chadar. Long back, Assamese women weaved their own clothes, especially mekhela chadars. Weaving muga silk is highly esteemed in assamese culture in the yesteryears.  In the Assamese language, Muga defines the golden hue. Exquisite and exclusive muga epitomizes opulent Assamese weaving culture. Muga is elusive and expensive, whereas Eri Silk is an everyday affair. Muga is reserved for special occasions. In Assamese culture, muga is widely used by Bihu dancers and is a must-buy for the bridal trousseau. With the changing times and rising prices, Muga is not a regular buy for an average person.   Muga is especially found in the form of mekhela chadar traditionally. Muga saree is commonly available in the market too. Indigenous Muga silk is pr...

You know my love affair with mekhela chadar is never-ending. As I grow older, I find it even more comfortable to wear. Last weekend, the Greater Boston Assamese community celebrated Bihu  with prompt and enthusiasm. Like  last year,  we attended again this year, and I had another opportunity to wear my mekhela chadar.          I got this mekhela chadar at  the Assam Convention,  where one of the designers, Jahnavi Swargiyari, showcased her designs.  A simple yet elegant mulberry silk mekhela chadar in bright yellow color, just great to celebrate Bihu and Spring. The mekhela chadar features both silver and gold designs. The bright yellow reminded me of Assam, especially the dotted mustard fields of Majuli  and dreamy daffodils in New England. I chose muted antique finish gold jewelry for earrings and a stack of bangles, and added a few turquoise enamel bangles with it, a turquoise bindi, and a turquoise potli bag for a spl...