TEIK TAAL..

. Teik Taal is a small piece of decorated cloth or special decorated appendage tied to apparel by Kashmiri Pandit women in a marriage or Yageopavit ( sacred thread ) ceremony. It is fixed ( generally near the portion of saree or Pheran close to head ) in such a way so that it remains visible to all . Previously, TeikTaals were made of Kyemkhaab and Zarbaab cloth woven with expensive silk and golden threads by a Paetgor . The Paetgor shop was a part of Kashmiri Pandit society. A Paetgor would sell Attahuru, Teik Taal, Manan-Maal, Sheeshlaath, Zooji, Taranga, Kalpush, pins, buttons and all other material used by Kashmiri Pandit women for marriages and Yageopavit ( sacred thread ) ceremonies. Teik Taal is unique to Kashmiri Pandit culture only. Using a Teik taal implies that the woman is a close relation and from the family wherein the marriage or Mekhala event is taking place. Guests do not fix Teik Taal with their Sarees or Pherans ( worn by Kashmiri Pandit women in the past ). Teik Taals are distributed to ladies in a marriage function or Mekhala ( Yageopavit ) so as to provide a feeling of affinity , respect and closeness .. And It is the woman in any society ,who ensures cultural and civilizational continuity through these customs and traditions . Long back , I was told by Vedic scholar Vishnu Sharma Ji of Rajasthan that during a Homa ceremony ( in Vedic age) , a mark of identification was tied to the upper arm of the participants . Is Teik Taal a continuity of this tradition ? I am not sure . ( Avtar Mota)