Art, Artists and Assam: the Identity Politics seen in the making of Mekhela Sador

Abstract

The Assam Agitation and the identity politics that came along with it had changed the lives of the people of Assam in various aspects. One of them was the crowning of the Mekhela Sador as the “traditional clothing of Assam” despite the existence of various other traditional clothings within its borders. Due to its popularity, the industry had also boomed since then. While the current literature explores the current identity politics of Assam or the popularity of the mekhela sador, this thesis connects the two and looks at the influence of identity politics in the making of the said traditional attire. Interviews were taken from entrepreneurs and stakeholders involved in the making of this attire. This paper analysed their ideologies and values that affects the three elements that are involved in the making of the mekhela sador— entrepreneurs, weavers and designs/motifs.