President Murmu's Republic Day Invitation Honors Northeast India's Artistic Traditions
President Droupadi Murmu's Republic Day 'At Home' reception invitation has become a canvas for celebrating the rich artistic legacy of India's eight Northeastern states. Following the grand Republic Day Parade on Monday, dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief guests European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa will be hosted by President Murmu for this traditional reception.
Curated Cultural Experience by National Institute of Design
Curated by the prestigious National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad, the invitation extends a warm welcome for guests to "experience the cultural and artistic heritage of Bharat." Officials revealed that 900 such invitation boxes were meticulously created and dispatched, featuring collaborative works from over 50 skilled artisans and craftspeople spanning across the eight Northeastern states.
Artistic Elements from Eight States
The formal invitation pays tribute to the artistic intelligence of the Northeastern region, highlighting how traditional knowledge, natural ecosystems, and craftsmanship continue to shape everyday life. The invitation box itself serves as a keepsake, featuring:
- A woven bamboo mat created on a loom using dyed cotton threads on the warp and finely split bamboo on the weft - a traditional practice associated with Tripura artisans
- Decorative patterns inspired by Assamese manuscript painting adorning both the cover and box
- A handmade paper tag bearing the invitee's address accompanied by a bamboo ornament crafted in Meghalaya
Eri Silk Stole and Wall-Hanging Scroll
Guests arriving at Rashtrapati Bhavan will be greeted with a specially designed Eri silk stole. Commonly known as 'peace silk', Eri silk holds significant cultural and economic importance in Northeast India, valued for both its ethical production methods and exceptional durability.
Inside the invitation box, a wall-hanging scroll made using an octagonal bamboo weave unfolds to reveal an artistically arranged display of handcrafted works representing all eight states:
- Assam: Bamboo jaw harp 'Gogona'
- Manipur: Longpi black pottery
- Tripura: Cane and bamboo jewellery
- Arunachal Pradesh: Mon shugu paper
- Meghalaya: Green bamboo weave
- Sikkim: Woven nettle fabric and embroidery
- Nagaland: Orange wild rhea and stinging nettle
- Mizoram: Handwoven puan chei
President's Vision for Cultural Showcase
Sharing the invitation on social media platform X, President Droupadi Murmu wrote, "The invitation kit this year celebrates the living traditions of India's North Eastern Region. This invitation is a tribute to the skilled artisans and craftspersons of the Ashtalakshmi states."
This tradition of regional cultural showcases during presidential receptions has gained momentum under President Murmu's tenure. For the Independence Day 'At Home' reception in August last year, the focus was on eastern states, with both the invitation and menu featuring regional specialties including litti-chokha, mochar chop, and desserts like chhena poda from Odisha and gur sandesh from West Bengal.
Similarly, last year's Republic Day celebrations had a distinct southern flavor, showcasing art and culinary delights from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Those familiar with the tradition note that this practice aligns with President Murmu's interest in highlighting India's remarkable cultural diversity through official state functions.
