Prez Droupadi Murmu’s Republic Day ‘At Home’ invite highlights Tripura’s cane and bamboo jewellery and Northeast India’s traditional crafts, honoring artisans of the Ashtalakshmi states through sustainable design and rich cultural storytelling.
Prez Droupadi Murmu has once again highlighted India’s cultural diversity by unveiling an artistically crafted Republic Day ‘At Home’ invitation that celebrates the living traditions of the North Eastern Region. The invitation kit, designed for the 77th Republic Day reception, places special emphasis on Tripura’s cane and bamboo jewellery, positioning it alongside some of the finest indigenous crafts from across the eight North Eastern states, collectively known as the Ashtalakshmi states.
At the heart of the invitation is a handcrafted box made from a woven bamboo mat originating in Tripura. Created on a traditional loom, the mat uses dyed cotton threads on the warp and fine bamboo splits on the weft, a technique deeply rooted in Tripura’s craft heritage. This method not only reflects exceptional craftsmanship but also demonstrates the sustainable use of natural materials that has been practiced for generations in the region.
The invitation brings together an extraordinary range of indigenous art forms. Among them are cane and bamboo jewellery from Tripura, the famed Longpi black pottery from Manipur, mon shugu handmade paper from Arunachal Pradesh, green bamboo weave from Meghalaya, woven nettle fabric and embroidery from Sikkim, orange wild rhea and stinging nettle products from Nagaland, and the handwoven puan chei textile from Mizoram. Each element reflects a distinct ecological and cultural identity, woven together into a unified artistic narrative.
President Murmu shared a short film showcasing the invitation kit on her social media handle, describing it as a tribute to the skilled artisans and craftspeople of the North East. She noted that the invitation celebrates living traditions and acknowledges the contribution of artisans whose work sustains the cultural soul of the region.
A notable feature of the ‘At Home’ reception is the traditional welcome extended to guests through the draping of a specially designed Eri silk stole. Often referred to as “peace silk” or “Ahimsa silk,” Eri silk is central to the textile economy of North Eastern India and is produced without harming silkworms. The stole artistically represents the region’s rich biodiversity, featuring motifs such as Tripura’s Nagkesar flower and Indian butter catfish, Nagaland’s Mithun and rhododendron, Manipur’s Shirui Lily and Sangai deer, and Mizoram’s Red Vanda Orchid and Himalayan serow.
Attention to detail is evident even in the smallest components of the invitation. The handmade paper tag carrying the invitee’s address is paired with a bamboo ornament crafted in Meghalaya, made using a specially smoked bamboo split that lends it a deep brown hue. Decorative motifs across the box and cover draw inspiration from the Assamese manuscript painting tradition, adding historical depth to the contemporary design.
The invitation card itself is the result of a collaborative dialogue between artisans and the project team, showcasing crafts from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. The card explicitly acknowledges the artisans of the Ashtalakshmi states, stating that without them, the story of the North East’s cultural and artistic heritage cannot be told.
Structurally, the invitation box contains a wall-hanging scroll constructed with an octagonal bamboo weave pattern. As it unfolds, it reveals a carefully curated display of handcrafted creations from each North Eastern state, transforming the invitation into a collectible piece of cultural storytelling.
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Through this thoughtfully designed Republic Day ‘At Home’ invite, President Droupadi Murmu has not only elevated Tripura’s cane and bamboo jewellery to a national platform but has also reaffirmed the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge systems. The initiative stands as a powerful reminder that India’s strength lies in its diversity, craftsmanship, and the communities that continue to keep ancient traditions alive in a modern world.
