Ahead of the Republic Day 2026 celebrations, Rashtrapati Bhavan has sent out specially designed invitations to guests for the traditional ‘At Home’ reception, placing the spotlight on the cultural heritage and craftsmanship of India’s North Eastern region.
The invitation, designed by the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, is a tribute to artisans from the Ashtalakshmi states and reflects their traditional knowledge, indigenous skills and sustainable practices. Preparations for the Republic Day celebrations at Rashtrapati Bhavan are currently in progress.
What sets the invitation apart is the extensive use of bamboo, a material closely linked to the economy, culture and everyday life of the North East. The bamboo cover and box highlight ideas of eco-friendly development and sustainable livelihoods in the region. The invitation box has been crafted from a woven bamboo mat produced on a loom, using dyed cotton threads on the warp and fine bamboo splits on the weft — a technique commonly practised in Tripura. The outer cover carries a handmade paper tag featuring bamboo artwork made from specially smoked bamboo splits, giving it a deep brown finish.
Inside, the invitation opens into a wall-hanging scroll created using an octagonal bamboo weave pattern. The scroll presents a curated display of handcrafted items representing all eight North Eastern states. The motifs used on the cover and box draw inspiration from Assamese manuscript painting, while the fabric panel beneath the invite depicts the region’s rich flora and fauna.
The invitation is accompanied by a specially woven Eri silk stole. Known as ‘Peace Silk’ or ‘Ahimsa Silk’, Eri silk is an important part of the textile tradition and rural economy of the North East. Guests will also receive Longpi black pottery from Manipur, an ancient craft associated with the Tangkhul Naga tribe and traced back to the Neolithic period.
Other cultural elements include the handwoven Puan Chei from Mizoram, traditionally worn as a shawl or wraparound garment, and the rare Orange Wild Rhea and stinging nettle fabric from Nagaland, crafted by the Khiamniungan Naga tribe. This textile reflects the revival of traditional practices, using fibres extracted from the wild orange rhea plant and Himalayan stinging nettle, locally known as ‘Ehlon Niu’.
Adding to the Assamese representation, the invitation set also includes a Gogona, a traditional bamboo jaw harp from Assam that is closely associated with Rongali Bihu and the arrival of spring.
Through this carefully curated invitation, Rashtrapati Bhavan has sought to celebrate the artistic excellence, cultural diversity and sustainable traditions of the North Eastern states, offering guests a glimpse into the region’s living heritage.