How Assam's traditional cane craft shaped Ranbir, Ravie's armour in Ramayana

The costumes in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana have involved more than just elaborate designs, with traditional Indian craftsmanship also playing a role in bringing the epic to life. Costume designer Ajay Kumar has now offered a glimpse into the making of the armour worn by Ranbir Kapoor and Ravie Dubey, revealing how he travelled to Assam with his team to oversee its creation.Sharing photographs of the actors wearing the armour, along with pictures documenting the making process, Ajay explained that the pieces were created using locally sourced materials, including Sarpat cane, jute and wood. The designer said the project required considerable effort, precision and patience.In his Instagram post, Ajay described the armour as a reflection of his creative vision and the hard work that went into executing it.He wrote, "This armour is not just a design; it is a piece of my vision, my persistence and an immense amount of hard work." Explaining the process, he said he personally travelled to Assam with his team to bring the design to life. The armour used Sarpat cane as its base, with jute embellishments and wooden elements incorporated into the structure.Ajay also acknowledged the contribution of his team, calling them his backbone and the people who helped him overcome the challenges involved in the project. He added that the creation deserved to be remembered not just for its appearance but also for the effort and people behind it.Assam's traditional craftsmanship finds a place in RamayanaThe armour's creation also involved collaboration with local artisans in Assam. According to details shared in an interview with Variety India, Ajay worked with Barpeta-based artisan Jaynal Abdin to develop the structural weave before the pieces were taken to Mumbai for finishing.The process reportedly came with tight deadlines. The designer revealed that Ranbir's signature armour was completed just an hour before filming began, making the final stages particularly challenging.Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash, Ramayana released in cinemas in India on November 5. It stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Sai Pallavi as Sita. Yash plays Ravana, while Ravie Dubey portrays Lakshman.The film also features Arun Govil, Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh, Kajal Aggarwal, Indira Krishnan and Kunal Kapoor in important roles.- Ends