Rignai and Risa were handcraft textiles displayed at the exhibition ‘Tripura: Time Past and Time Present,’ which showcased the rich legacy of Tripura in the arts.
About Rignai/Rigwnai
  • Rigwnai is the traditional dress of Tripuri women, the indigenous inhabitants of Tripura.
  • It is similar to the traditional dresses of other indigenous communities in the north-eastern Indian states.
  • It is a cloth with designs used for covering lower part of the body by wrapping it around the waist.
  • Sometimes it is worn with “risa”.
  • Two pieces of cloth are joined to make one Rignai.
  • It is normally joined and stitched in the middle as the weave is done usingloin loom.
  • It is mostly worn by the “debbarma” tribes and by other tribes in Tripura.
  • A similar kind of rigwnai is worn by Manipuris and Mizos.
“Chamathwi bar”
  • It is the most common kind of rignai and comprises white cloth bordered by maroon or other colors.
  • It is worn during important occasions like wedding ceremonies and festivals like Goria Puja and Hangrai.
About Risa
  • Risa is a cloth used as a blouse by wrapping it around the bust.
  • It is colourful with fine intricate designs.
  • These days it is worn over a blouse and on festive occasions only.
About Debbarma
  • Debbarma-Kachari is a generic term applied to a number of ethnic groups, predominantly in Tripura.
  • They speak Tibeto-Burman languages or claim a common ancestry.
  • Debbarma language, one of the languages spoken by this group.
  • Debbarma is the surname of Tripuri Clan from Tripura.
  • It is the title generally used by the Kokborok-speaking (Tibeto-Burmese) Tripuri people.
Did you know?
  • In olden days, a woman’s IQ was judged by her woven design of Rignai.