New Delhi: The Republic Day ‘At Home’ invitation issued by President Droupadi Murmu this year celebrates the rich cultural heritage, traditional crafts and artistic legacy of India’s eight north-eastern states, collectively known as ‘Ashtalakshmi’.
According to the invitation details, guests attending the prestigious reception will be welcomed in a traditional manner with the draping of a specially designed ‘Eri silk stole’. Eri silk, often referred to as ‘peace silk’ or ‘Ahimsa Silk’, holds a significant place in the textile traditions and economy of the northeastern region.
The stole beautifully represents the unique flora and fauna of the region. It features Nagaland’s state animal Mithun and the Rhododendron flower, Manipur’s Shirui Lily and Sangai deer, Tripura’s Nagkesar flower and Indian butter catfish, and Mizoram’s Red Vanda Orchid and Himalayan Serow, among other symbols.
The handcrafted invitation box for the At Home reception has been designed using a woven bamboo mat created on a loom with dyed cotton threads on the warp and fine bamboo splits on the weft – a technique commonly practiced in Tripura.
The handmade paper tag bearing the invitee’s address on the outer cover is accompanied by a bamboo ornament crafted in Meghalaya using specially smoked bamboo splits that give it a rich brown hue. Decorative motifs on both the cover and the box draw inspiration from traditional Assamese manuscript painting.
As Rashtrapati Bhavan prepares to welcome distinguished guests from across the country on January 26 to mark the 77th Republic Day, the invitation card reads: “We invite you to experience the cultural and artistic heritage of Bharat.” The invitation has been curated by the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad.
The initiative highlights traditional crafts from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, developed through close collaboration between artisans and the project team.
Prof Andrea Noronha, who led the project involving more than 350 members including artisans, said that accessing remote craft clusters in the northeastern region was a major challenge due to difficult terrain and connectivity.
The invitation box also contains a wall-hanging scroll crafted using an octagonal bamboo weave pattern. When unfolded, it reveals an artistic display of handcrafted creations representing each of the eight northeastern states.
The structure of the scroll and the use of tri-colour threads evoke the form of the traditional loin loom, a portable weaving tool widely used by women in the region to create distinctive textiles.
“This invitation has been conceived as a confluence of elements reflecting the distinctive traditions that shape daily life in each state of India’s northeastern region, the people’s mastery of unique handicraft techniques, and the natural ecosystems that sustain their homes,” the invitation states.
Eight distinct art forms have been incorporated into the invitation, including Assam’s ‘Gogona’, a bamboo jaw harp traditionally played during Rongali Bihu celebrations along with the ‘dhol’ and ‘pepa’.
Other featured crafts include Manipur’s Longpi black pottery, cane and bamboo jewellery from Tripura, Mon Shugu handmade paper from Arunachal Pradesh, green bamboo weaving from Meghalaya, woven nettle fabric and embroidery from Sikkim, orange wild rhea and stinging nettle crafts from Nagaland, and the handwoven ‘puan chei’ textile from Mizoram.
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Through this unique initiative, the President’s Republic Day invitation pays tribute to the vibrant cultural diversity and exceptional craftsmanship of India’s northeastern states.
