Muga Silk ~ Assam

May 26, 2020

One of the rarest Silks in the world is the Muga silk from Assam. It is produced only in Assam and nowhere else. The fact that sets this Silk apart from all other versions is that it is totally golden yellow in color. The word `Muga’ means yellowish in Assamese. The source of it is the Muga Silkworm which goes back to the age of the dinosaurs and is so sensitive in nature that it cannot tolerate even the most minimum of pollution levels. It is made from the semi-cultivated silkworm named Antheraea assamensis. It is organic and natural and has the strongest natural fiber.

It is the most expensive type of Silk and is used for making products only for the upper segments of the market. One of the major highlights of Muga Silk is its longevity. It is said that generally, a Muga Silk fabric outlives the wearer.

It is known for its resilience. It can be given a fine texture by dry ironing it in a damp state or it can attain a crushed look by not getting ironed. This is one unique fabric where the golden luster increases with age. Any type of embroidery by a thread can be done on it. Most importantly, while it has got a naturally golden luster and does not need any dyeing to be done, it is still quite compatible with most dyes.

Present day Scenario

Primarily, bulk of the Muga Silk cultivation takes place in the West Garo hills of Assam and a little bit is also done in the west Khasi hills of Assam which are the only homes to the silkworms – Som and Soalu which generate the Muga Silk thread.

Typically, in the Garo hill region, a Silk farmer needs to have access to at least 1 acre of land through which he can cultivate about 400 grams of Muga silk at a go.

Dresses made out of this Silk sport rich embroidery in the forms of flowers, leaves, trees and Bihu structures lending a unique and fabulous look. The traditional use of this Silk has been to make attire for women called `mehelka – sadar’ which is akin to a saree in Assam and for making kurtas for men.

An interesting equation to note is that it takes about 1000 cocoons to generate 125 grams of Silk and around 1000 grams of Silk is needed for a saree. Over and above, the time taken to make one single saree is about two months right from rearing the silkworm to the finished product. The weaving process of the muga silk sarees alone takes up one week to ten days to complete.

Faces behind the Fabric

It is mainly the people of the Garo community who engage in the production of Muga Silk. A special mention has to be made for Miss Vivian Sangma. She singlehanded established a post cocoon Silk industry at Tura in the west Garo hills of Assam where the entire process of silk production into yarn and the final fabric takes place. Her firm has been bestowed the Silk Mark Certification by the Central Silk Board, Government of India.