| Foremost amongst the traditional
crafts of Assam are hand made toys, made from clay, cork (pith),
wood and bamboo and an admixture of cloth and mud. While the
bride and groom are common subjects, in the clay-toy making
segment animals dominate. Clay toys traditionally made by
the Kumar and Hira potter communities. Deities and mythological
figures are also important themes in the toy-making repertoire.
Assam is reputed for its silk and the most prominent variety
is muga, the golden silk exclusive only to this state. Apart
from muga there is paat, as also eri, the latter being used
in manufacture of warm clothes for winter.
A wide range of decorative items is available in cane and
bamboo work and bell metal and brass. Bamboo and cane are
also used to produce a wide range of furniture, handicrafts
and decorative items. Tribal arts, including masks bhaonas,
in metal, bamboo and wood are popular souvenir items.
The main shopping centres are Fancy Bazaar, Paltan Bazaar
and Pan Bazaar, Most emporia are located in Fancy Bazar
and Pan Bazar area. Roadside evening markets in these areas
sell handicrafts.
Popular shopping outlets
Purbashree, run by the North-Eastern
Handicraft and Handloom Development Corporation, stocks
silks, laichampi (quilt-like material) and handicrafts from
Assam, honey (Meghalaya) wool carpets (Arunachal Pradesh),
Kuki shawls (Manipur), cane and bamboo work (Tripura), shawls
(Nagaland) and caps (Mizoram).
Pragjyotika, (Assam emporium)
is popular for handlooms and handicrafts.
Assam Apex Weavers & Artisans
Cooperative Federation sells Assam silks, textiles,
bamboo handicrafts.
Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan sells
Khadi material, readymade leather goods and handmade paper.
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