Northeast culture enthralls at Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav held in Rashtrapati Nilayam

Each of the eight North Eastern states set up pavilions where visitors could engage with artisans, observe traditional crafts and purchase handmade products

Hyderabad: As visitors stepped into the Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav (BKM) at Rashtrapati Nilayam, Bolaram, the vibrant colours and rhythmic beats of the Northeast enveloped them.

Each of the eight North Eastern states—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura—set up pavilions where visitors could engage with artisans, observe traditional crafts and purchase handmade products.

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Live demonstrations of weaving, wood carving and jewellery assembling allowed visitors to get a hands-on experience with the region’s cultural legacy. The food stalls offered delicacies from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim, Meghalaya and Tripura.

Primula Bhandari, an artist and entrepreneur from Malbasey, Sikkim, showcased her stunning Buddhist thangka paintings made using natural pigments on canvas.

Primula, daughter of former Sikkim Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari and Sikkim’s first female MP, Dilkumari Bhandari, said, “it’s a humbling experience. I hope my journey inspires women from villages to understand that hard work and dedication can lead to success.”

Rajiv Saikia, an enthusiastic travel entrepreneur from Assam, eagerly engaged with the crowd, sharing stories of the unexplored beauty of the Northeastern states.

Representing his travel company, Eastern Voyages, he offered glimpses into the breathtaking landscapes and cultural richness of the region.

The eight-day celebration of the region’s rich and diverse cultural heritage was jointly organised by Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region and the Ministry of Culture.

By Saturday, it had drawn 78,000 visitors, with organisers expecting the total to exceed 80,000 by the festival’s end on Sunday.

From Assam, entrepreneur Enakshee Barua Sarma of Soundarya Laharee appreciated the festival’s arrangements, especially the support from the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC).

The traditional Assamese attire, including mekhela sador and eri silk sarees, drew a lot of attention from visitors. “The crowd is eager to learn about our culture. It’s overwhelming,” she remarked.

Pari Yendrembam, a 24-year-old dressed in traditional Manipur attire, proudly represented the Meitei community and visitors eagerly snapped photos.

“It’s been wonderful connecting with people here. They were excited to learn about our culture, and I’m honoured to represent Manipur,” he shared.