Shillong, Aug 7: Threads of tradition met bold ideas in Shillong on Friday as Meghalaya marked the 12th National Handloom Day with a celebration that honored master artisans and mapped a new path for indigenous textiles.
Textiles Minister Metbah Lyngdoh led the state-level event as Chief Guest and was welcomed by Frederick R. Kharkongor, IAS, Principal Secretary of the Department of Textiles, alongside representatives from NIFT Shillong, MIT University of Meghalaya, MSRLS and other partner institutions. The venue came alive with looms, colour and conversation under this year’s theme, “Weave with Innovation.” The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and the inauguration of a handloom exhibition that brought government, academia, designers and artisans onto one platform to reimagine Meghalaya’s weaving legacy for contemporary markets.
Six women weavers from across the state were felicitated for decades of mastery, leadership and quiet resilience. The awardees included lifelong practitioners and heads of cooperative societies, reflecting the breadth and diversity of Meghalaya’s textile heritage where every weave carries patience, skill and identity.
Culture and design shared the stage as Khmih Creative Society performed the soulful Ryndia Song, reviving traditional instruments like the duitara and bom to trace the link between music and the loom. Designer Sakaru Kyndiah then presented a fashion showcase featuring weavers and staff of ZON Shillong, where indigenous fabrics flowed into contemporary silhouettes and demonstrated how Meghalaya’s handloom can hold its own on modern runways without losing its roots.
In his opening remarks, Frederick R. Kharkongor described the state’s textile journey through four guiding ideas: revival, resilience, resurgence and reimagination. He pointed to milestones such as Umden-Diwon being recognized as a Silk Village and Meghalaya handloom receiving its GI tag as evidence that tradition and enterprise can grow together. The Department of Textiles also released three new publications and design initiatives aimed at giving artisans fresh tools for creativity and stronger market linkages.
With looms humming and ideas sparking through the hall, the message from Shillong was clear. Meghalaya’s handloom is not just being preserved. It is being reimagined for the future.
