Kokrajhar: A week-long exhibition celebrating indigenous knowledge, craftsmanship and cultural heritage concluded at Bodoland University, drawing participants from across the North East and neighbouring Bhutan.
The event, held from November 15 to 22, highlighted traditional art, handloom, ecological crafts and local cuisines under Project EMWSSAA with support from the North Eastern Council and TRIFED.
The exhibition opened on November 15 with Janajatiya Gaurav Divas celebrations, attended by senior officials from the Bodoland Territorial Council, Bodoland University and TRIFED.
The inaugural day also featured a cultural fashion showcase and music performances by regional artists.
During the course of the programme, TRIFED conducted an artisan empanelment drive to boost market access for grassroots creators.
A series of exclusive sessions on November 19 brought together historians, academics and cultural practitioners to discuss ways to preserve oral history, weaving traditions, food culture and ecological knowledge of indigenous communities.
Speakers, including eminent historian Dr. J.B. Bhattacharjee and experts from universities across the region, stressed the need for documentation and research to safeguard traditional practices in the face of rapid socio-cultural changes.
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Panel discussions also explored contemporary identity, creative economies and the future of indigenous art forms, concluding with a special performance of the Japanese traditional art, Tamasudare.
The concluding ceremony on the same evening saw scholars from India and Denmark acknowledging the collaborative spirit behind the initiative.
Students, artisans and performers later joined an open mic event showcasing music, poetry and folk dance, reflecting the strong community engagement throughout the week.
Organisers said the initiative aims to strengthen cultural literacy and support livelihoods linked to indigenous knowledge systems in the North East, while promoting exchange between communities and scholars.
