Celebrating Northeast India: Republic Day Invitation Highlights Cultural Heritage
Republic Day Invitation Showcases Northeast Culture
New Delhi, Jan 18: This year's Republic Day 'At Home' invitation from President Droupadi Murmu pays homage to the vibrant cultural and artistic legacy of India's eight northeastern states, collectively referred to as Ashtalakshmi.
Guests arriving at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 26 will be greeted with a specially crafted Eri silk stole, as noted in the invitation. Known as 'peace silk' or Ahimsa silk, Eri silk plays a vital role in the textile heritage and economy of the Northeast.
The stole is adorned with designs inspired by the region's diverse flora and fauna, featuring Nagaland's Mithun and Rhododendron flower, Manipur's Shirui Lily and Sangai deer, Tripura's Nagkesar flower and Indian butter catfish, along with Mizoram's Red Vanda Orchid and Himalayan Serow.
The invitation box itself is a masterpiece, incorporating a woven bamboo mat crafted on a loom with dyed cotton threads and fine bamboo splits, a technique prevalent in Tripura. The decorative elements on the cover draw from the Assamese manuscript painting tradition.
Accompanying the invitation is a handmade paper tag with the invitee's address, along with a bamboo ornament from Meghalaya, crafted from specially smoked bamboo that gives it a rich brown color.
"As Rashtrapati Bhavan prepares to welcome distinguished guests from across the nation on January 26 to celebrate the 77th Republic Day, we invite you to immerse yourself in the cultural and artistic heritage of Bharat," states the invitation, curated by the National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad.
This initiative highlights traditional crafts from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura, developed through a collaborative effort between artisans and the design team.
Prof. Andrea Noronha, who led a team of over 350 members, including artisans, shared that accessing remote craft clusters posed challenges. "However, thanks to NID's extensive experience in the region and our network of alumni actively contributing to the sector, we managed to navigate this task within the tight timeline," she explained.
"This invitation reflects the creativity of the people and the beauty of traditional skills and innovations shaped by their surroundings," Noronha added.
The invitation box also features a wall-hanging scroll crafted with an octagonal bamboo weave pattern, reminiscent of the loin loom traditionally used by women in the area. Eight unique art forms are showcased, including Assam's Gogona, Manipur's Longpi black pottery, Tripura's cane and bamboo jewelry, and Mizoram's handwoven puan chei.
This invitation serves as a tribute to the artisans from the Ashtalakshmi states, honoring the living heritage and timeless traditions of Northeast India.