Week-long event from November 15–22 in Kokrajhar to highlight handloom traditions, eco-friendly crafts and tribal cuisines under NEC-funded women’s empowerment project
Kokrajhar, Nov 18 : The rich indigenous heritage of North East India is set to take centre stage at an Exhibition of Indigenous Art & Crafts, Handloom Traditions and Food Culture to be held at Bodoland University, Kokrajhar, from November 15 to 22.
The event will take place at the Jwhwlao Nileswar Brahma Auditorium front yard and will spotlight the diverse creativity, craftsmanship and culinary traditions of the region.
Organised under the project “Empowering Marginalised Women of the Sixth Scheduled Areas of Assam” (EMWSSAA), the exhibition is funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), and is being held in collaboration with the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).
The initiative aims to support livelihoods and market access for women artisans and producers from Assam’s Sixth Schedule areas, with a particular focus on Bodoland.
The exhibition will be inaugurated as part of the 150th Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh celebrations marking the birth anniversary of tribal icon Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
The inaugural session will be attended by the Chief of Bodoland Territorial Council, Hagrama Mohilary, as Chief Guest, along with Bodoland University Vice-Chancellor Prof B.L. Ahuja; P.S. Aleng, IRS, General Manager, TRIFED-NER; Bhutan–India Friendship Association (Gelephu chapter) general secretary Dawa Penjor as Guest of Honour; and Colonel David L. Khojol, commanding officer, 135 Infantry Battalion (TA), Ecological, Assam, as Guest of Honour.
The inaugural programme will feature a traditional Bodo welcome dance, Dahal Thungri, followed by a book release, cultural performances and the formal opening of the exhibition by the Chief Guest.
Organisers say the event is designed to position Bodoland University and Kokrajhar as a key hub for celebrating and promoting the cultural mosaic of North East India.
As part of the opening-day celebrations, an inaugural evening has been planned with a ramp walk curated by Aronai Entertainment, showcasing traditional weaves and textile designs from across the North East.
The cultural line-up will include a musical dialogue on popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg by artists P. Gogoi, Anshuman Baruah and Pragyashree Phukan, and a live performance by The Family Tree Band.
The week-long programme will include a Tribal Artisan Empanelment Mela on November 17, organised by TRIFED under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, to identify and onboard tribal artisans into formal marketing channels.
On November 19, a special session on “Oral & Written Histories: Indigenous Arts, Weaving, Ecological Crafts, Food Traditions and Languages” will be held under Project EMWSSAA, funded by NEC and the Ministry of DoNER.
Visitors will be able to explore a wide range of handloom products, eco-friendly and ecological crafts, and traditional tribal and regional cuisines from different parts of the North East.
Stalls and pavilions are expected to offer an immersive experience of the region’s artistry, heritage and flavours, while also providing a platform for local women artisans and entrepreneurs to engage directly with buyers and institutions.
