This kalidaar is to give a celebratory homage to the textile prowess of an indigenous community called Dimasa. Dimasas, an extension of Cachari tribes, inhabit North Cachar Hills, the only hill region of Assam.

Dimasa weavers are respected all over Assam for the intricacy of weaving motifs and the beauty of their colour harmony.

The popular motifs are flowers, hills, huts, fields, fence, rooster, pig, hut, bird, turtle, tong and other ethnographic symbols that are visual documentary of the life around them.

Most motifs have remained unchanged and are carried forward through continuing generation of weavers.

Life around Haflong is slowly taking a more modern turn. Soon, the traditional motifs may lose their meaning. Mora has spent many years working with Dimasa artisans and got the opportunity to document many of their traditional motifs.

These weaves have time-trapped in them their traditional surroundings, sights and lifestyle. To me, they are more real than books. Their rich ancestry is a keen topic of infinite exploration.

Words

Jinrang Phinrang | Helter Skelter/ Messy/ Here and There
A favourite phrase from Dimasas to me.