Tourism minister Chandan Brahma at the inauguration on Friday. Picture by UB Photos

Jan. 6: The Assamese mekhela sador today emerged as a symbol of the country’s “unity in diversity” as traditional designs from as far as Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan found place alongside local time-tested motifs on the two-piece garment.

The intricate designs of bandhani and mirror work from Rajasthan, the elaborate designs of ari from Kashmir and the batik prints from Bengal were all there, as a city mall erupted in a riot of designs in a collection unveiled by Assam tourism minister Chandan Brahma today.

Launched under the brand “Sanjukta, Tradition Redesigned”, the mekhela sadors are the handiwork of designer Sanjukta Dutta.

“I am impressed with the collection. It is very innovative. Time is changing rapidly and it is essential for us to keep pace with new trends. Sanjukta’s designs are surely going to be appealing for many,” Brahma said.

Fashion designing is a passion as well as a hobby for Dutta, who, otherwise, is an assistant engineer in the public works department.

“For me the mekhela sador is the most graceful piece of garment. I love it. My collection is all about a cocktail of various traditions. I have opted to experiment with them to broaden my horizon.”

Her collection has a blend of contrasting colours and a mixture of different fabrics and traditional motifs.

Incorporating the traditional designs of different regions, Sanjukta’s mekhela sadors are edgy and stylish and help accentuate the wearer’s personality.

Dutta has also created magic with digital prints. This technology allows designs to be printed on fabric directly from a computer, just like printing on paper. The designer has created a play of images — of Radha and Krishna and of indigenous women and men of different regions — on the garment using the technology.

“So far, not many experiments have been done on the mekhela sador. Digital prints give a new look to the apparel, making it very popular amongst my clientele. I think I am the only one who has done it till date,” Dutta said.

Though ari, batik and digital prints were used on both muga and mulberry silks, for bandhani and mirror work, chiffon was used. “One cannot use silk for bandhani and mirror work because the fabric gets wrinkled and cannot be straightened. Chiffon is more suitable,” she said.

As for the prices, Dutta has left it to the management of the shopping mall displaying her collection.