Inside The President’s Republic Day ‘At Home’ Invite: A Tribute To The Ashtalakshmi States

This year, the President’s Republic Day ‘At Home’ invitation transcends its ceremonial function to become a thoughtfully crafted cultural artefact. Designed as an immersive experience rather than a formal card, the invitation pays homage to India’s north-eastern region – spotlighting its ecological wealth, artisanal intelligence and living traditions. Every material choice and motif reflects a deep respect for the everyday artistry that continues to define life across the eight Ashtalakshmi states.

Guests arriving at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 26 will be welcomed with a specially designed Eri silk stole – a quiet but powerful introduction to the ethos of the North East. Often referred to as ‘peace silk’, Eri silk is prized for its ethical

production, durability and cultural relevance, making it a fitting symbol of sustainability rooted in tradition.

Here’s a glimpse of the specially designed ‘At-Home’ invitation that has been sent from the President of India to the guests for the 77th Republic Day.

The invitation kit this year celebrates the living traditions of India’s North Eastern Region. This invitation is a tribute to… pic.twitter.com/pUDkRUj5TI

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 18, 2026

The stole becomes a canvas for the region’s biodiversity. Nagaland is represented through the Mithun and the Rhododendron, while Manipur appears through the rare Shirui Lily and the endangered Sangai deer. Tripura’s Nagkesar flower and Indian butter catfish, along with Mizoram’s Red Vanda Orchid and the Himalayan Serow, further highlight how closely nature and cultural identity are intertwined in the region.

The invitation box itself reflects functional craftsmanship rather than decorative excess. A woven bamboo mat, created using dyed cotton threads on the warp and finely split bamboo on the weft, draws from loom-based techniques associated with Tripura. The outer cover features a handmade paper tag for the address, accompanied by a bamboo ornament from Meghalaya, crafted using smoked bamboo splits that lend it a deep, earthy tone.

Subtle decorative patterns on the cover and box are inspired by Assamese manuscript painting, creating a visual continuity between text, texture and tradition.

Inside, the invitation unfolds into a wall-hanging scroll woven in an octagonal bamboo structure. Interlaced with tricolour threads, its form echoes the loin loom – a portable weaving device traditionally used by women across the North East. The scroll showcases handcrafted works from all eight states, each representing a distinct material culture and technique.

Featured art forms include Assam’s bamboo jaw harp Gogona, Manipur’s Longpi black pottery, Tripura’s cane and bamboo jewellery, Arunachal Pradesh’s mon shugu paper, Meghalaya’s green bamboo weave, Sikkim’s woven nettle fabric and embroidery, Nagaland’s wild rhea and stinging nettle traditions, and Mizoram’s handwoven puan chei.

Curated by the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, the invitation is intended to be displayed long after Republic Day concludes. More than a commemorative object, it stands as a lasting tribute to the artisans whose skills sustain and renew the cultural ecosystems of India’s north-eastern states.