Khamenchatpa : A symbol of Royalty
Rajkumari Dhanalaxmi Devi *
Khamenchatpa dress as seen duting Ibudhou Thangjing Haraoba Lai Lam Thokpa at Moirang on 23rd May 2022 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam
Khamenchatpa is a remarkable textile of Meiteis of Manipur. It is a hand block printed silk fabric produced usingscrolled pattern of stylized floral designwith the dark purple colour.
The meaning of Khamenchatpa is a line of work with the purple colour of a brinjal.
A design pattern of Khamenchatpa is originated from the body of God serpent legendary Pakhangba therefore this fabric is not used by women during her menstrual period. It reflects the identity of a wearer, as worn by the royal descendant, nobleman, courtier and also worn by superior member of the society. It cannot be used by common people and this was strictly followed during the time of monarchy.
Khamenchatpa cloth was given as a token of a gift or reward by the king (Maharaja) to the deserving individual like men of merit who are deemed worthy, genius or eminent scholar.
A design pattern is usually printed on silk dhoti (pheijom), shawl (innaphee), shirt (phurit), turban (kokyet), and waistband (kwangchet). Khamen-chatppa is washed and dried separately as it can’t be washed with the other cloths.
An old cloth of Khamenchatpa was either buried under the soil or submerges under water.
There are seven different colour of Khamenchatpa design and is based on the colour code of seven clan of Meitei community such as Mangang (Ningthouja), Luwang, Khuman, Moirang, Angom, Khaba Nganba, Sarang Leishangthem.
Now-a-days, design of khamenchatppa is printed on cotton fabric and on blends of cotton and silk fabric.
* Rajkumari Dhanalaxmi Devi wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writer is Assistant Professor and Research Officer, Department of Fashion Technology, Manipur International University, Ghari, Imphal
This article was webcasted on October 28 2023.
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