With the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and Rongali Bihu festival, there has been a notable increase in the popularity of the traditional Assamese Gamosa. This iconic cultural symbol holds great significance in the state of Assam.
A typical gamosa is a rectangular cloth, predominantly white, with a red border on three sides and red woven patterns on the fourth side but apart from red other colours can be used as well. While cotton yarn is commonly used to make gamosas, there are also special occasion ones crafted from Pat silk.
The Lok Sabha elections for 14 seats in Assam are scheduled to take place in three phases, commencing on April 19th. Additionally, Rongali Bihu festivities will be observed throughout the state in the middle of April.
According to Jonali Kalita, a female weaver residing in the Panbari area, Guwahati, the demand for gamosa, has significantly increased this year. Kalita mentioned that they produce gamosa annually, and the demand has risen compared to the previous year, primarily due to the ongoing elections. She further expressed that they are also reaping the benefits of this heightened demand.
Udipta Narayan Bharadwaj, the Secretary of the Prakriti Foundation in Jorhat District, emphasized that the Gamosa has achieved worldwide acclaim. It has proudly obtained a prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag and has been proudly worn by esteemed individuals, such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sudipta Narayan Bharadwaj emphasized that the renewed enthusiasm for gamosas not only represents a revival of culture but also underscores the economic empowerment of native women, who have achieved self-reliance through their skilled craftsmanship. As the demand for these customary fabrics continues to soar, local artisans are reaping the rewards, providing a glimmer of hope in the face of economic uncertainties.
