Address:
Shillong, EAST KHASI HILLS ,MEGHALAYA - 793001
About type of art
The state boasts of a rich culture of silkworm rearing, yarn production and weaving. What is interesting is that sericulture and weaving here are dominated by women, especially young mothers and older women who cannot go to the fields to work. The art is handed down to generations and is also a great source of livelihood.
In Meghalaya, the tradition of weaving dates back to hundreds of years. Though Meghalaya produces all four types of silk - mulberry, eri, tassar and muga - ryndia or eri holds a special place. RiBhoi district has emerged as a vital eri silk centre with the Umden-Diwon cluster of villages set up as the hub of eri silk production in the state. The Garo Hills is known for the best quality eri cocoons and almost every household has all the equipment to produce yarn and weave eri cloth.Ryndia, or castor, is the Khasi name for eri.It derives the name from castor plants that nourish the eri silkworms. Eri's texture is not as smooth as mulberry and muga but it has the feel and behaviour of wool. Its yarn is the only one that's spun and not reeled.
Mulberry silk has excellent value for its fine texture and elegant sheen and the Khasi women never fail to proudly drape themselves with mulberry silk 'dhara' on special occasions.