Weaving genius from Majuli keeping popular Assamese designs alive

Sonwal (Upper Assam) -  A young weaver from Assam’s Majuli Island is not only keeping traditional Assamese designs alive, but also popularising them across the country.  Jamini Payeng, 36, is a successful traditional weaver and a designer.

She hails from Sonwal village in Upper Assam and runs a small shop that sells Mekhela, Chaddar, Dupatta, Jackets and other traditional Assamese garments.

Most of her products are made from Muga, Eri, Silk and cotton.

Jamini earns good money from weaving and is now able to take good care of her family.

“I have been practicing weaving since childhood. I learnt it from my grandparents and since then I have been weaving and earning my livelihood from it,” said Payeng.

Jamini took up professional training in Ahmedabad and her work has been appreciated in India and all over the world. She received international recognition for her unique traditional

designs at a recent fair at Brazil.

She began her venture with support from a New Delhi-based NGO, but is now handling it alone.

Her work is displayed all over the country and she employs several young unemployed women to meet the rising demand.

“There are many young girls who don’t have any income, so I had a dream of teaching them so that they could learn and earn money like me,” said Payeng.

Jamini mixes traditional Assamese designs with contemporary ones.

She also uses tribal patterns along with dyes made from leaves and other natural products.

The state government plans to felicitate Jaimini for her excellent work.