Each Republic Day invitation kit reflects the cultural depth of the Ashtalakshmi states through a carefully selected range of traditional crafts. These include handloom textiles, bamboo weaving, Shugu Sheng handmade paper, black pottery, Puan Chi shawls, Tangkhul pottery, and bamboo musical instruments such as the Gogona. The kits also feature intricate octagonal weaving patterns created using three-colour threads, inspired by backstrap loom techniques traditionally practiced by women artisans across the region. The use of bamboo mats further reinforces the North East’s long-standing emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly materials.
The design highlights distinctive craft elements unique to each Northeastern state, making every kit a symbol of regional identity. Kanchenjunga embroidery from Sikkim represents the state’s refined textile tradition, while bamboo roofing models inspired by Meghalaya showcase indigenous rain-protection techniques. Arunachal Pradesh’s Shugu Sheng paper has been artistically shaped in the form of the Mithun bull, a culturally significant symbol. Assam is represented through bamboo Gogona musical instruments, Tripura through decorative bamboo crafts, Mizoram through traditional Puan Chi shawls, and Manipur through black pottery motifs depicting the rare Shirui Lily.
Speaking on the initiative, Professor Andrea Noronha of NID Ahmedabad stated that the objective was to represent the immense diversity of Northeastern craft traditions while maintaining high standards of quality, aesthetic balance, and responsible material use. She noted that artisans sourced raw materials locally from their villages, ensuring authenticity and sustainability, while NID coordinated the overall design, assembly, and quality control of the kits. The Republic Day invitation this year is not merely ceremonial but a celebration of living traditions, paying tribute to the skilled artisans and craftspersons of India’s North Eastern Region and reaffirming their rightful place in the country’s cultural narrative.
