Risa: Tripura's Signature Garment

• 25 Jan 2021

Why in News

The State government of Tripura aims to promote risa nationally as Tripura’s signature garment.

• For this, various initiatives have been taken like providing risa uniforms to anganwadi and ASHA workers and facilitating training for making risa at Tripura Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation.
• The risa is being branded under the India Handloom Brand. This supports the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative of the central government.

Key Points

• About Risa:
  
  • Risa is a handwoven cloth used as a female upper garment.
  • Risa is a part of traditional Tripuri attire that comprises three parts - risa, rignai and rikutu.
    
    • Rignai: It is primarily worn as the lower garment and literally translates into ‘to wear’. It can be understood as an indigenous variety of the sari of mainland India.
    • Rituku: It is mainly used as a wrap, or like a ‘chunri’ or a ‘pallu’of the Indian saree.
  • Sometimes, Risa is also used as headgear, a stole, or a present to express respect.
• Cultural Importance:
  
  • Adolescent Tripuri girls are first given a risa to wear in an event called Risa Sormani, at age 12 to 14.
  • Risa is also used as a turban by men during weddings and festivals.
  • Risa is common in almost all 19 indigenous tribal communities of Tripura. However, each community has its own designs.
  • It is used in religious festivals such as Garia Puja by tribal communities.
    
    • Garia Puja Festival:
      
      • It is a major festival in Tripura, held on the last day of the month of Chaitra.
      • Celebrated as a harvest festival by the ethnic tribes - Tripuris and Reangs.
      • In this festival, the Garia dance is also performed.

Source: IE