Eri-Culture: The Drive from Tradition to Innovation

Abstract

Assam, a north-eastern state of India is a land of variety of silkworms. Eri-Culture is an age-old traditional practice of rearing of Eri silkworm. Eri is a kind of silk with thermal quality and hence, the poor and the underprivileged used it to replace the woolen clothes. The tribal folks of Assam mostly practised it. Eri silk was also known as the “Poor Men’s Silk” since it was the cheapest and the sturdiest among all the available silks. Today, the tradition took a drive towards the global market with a different grace. The Eri silk fabrics that are being constructed by the handloom weavers are in huge demand not only in India but also outside the nation. The involvement of the Designers and Industrialists led to a remarkable revolution through intervention and commerce. The discussion laid here is about the power of Design and Innovation, which could easily turn a Cultural Heritage of Handlooms into a commercial industry. The argument additionally concerns the need of an understanding for those who are performing interventions in the Eri silk sector to focus on certain aspects so that the Tradition and Heritage are not being harmed. The interference of Design professionals into this sector has undeniably helped the weavers’ community towards crafting a better livelihood. But sometimes, age-old traditional designs with a touch of contemporary drifts also turned out to be extra rewarding.