Exhibition and Exclusive Session Spotlight Indigenous Knowledge, Artistry, and Cultural Heritage in Bodoland University
Kokrajhar,Rongili Barta The Exhibition of Indigenous Art & Crafts, Handloom Traditions & Food Culture, organised under Project EMWSSAA with support from the North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of DoNER, and in collaboration with TRIFED, concluded with resounding community participation and cultural exchange over its week-long schedule from 15th to 22nd November 2025 at Bodoland University. The exhibition showcased regional craftsmanship, local cuisines, handlooms, eco-friendly products, and live cultural expressions, drawing artisans, students, scholars, performers, and visitors from across India and neighbouring Bhutan.
The Janajatiya Gaurav Divas cum Inaugural Session of the Exhibition was conducted on 15th November, 2025 with Shri Rabiram Narzary, MLA and EM, Education, BTC, as the Chief Guest and the event was graced by important dignitaries from TRIFED- Mr PS Aleng, IRS, General Manager, TRIFED , NER, Colonel David L Khojol, 135 Infantry Battalion, Dawa Penjor, General Secretary, BIFA, and Honourable VC of Bodoland University, Professor BL Ahuja, and Registrar Dr. Subung Basumatary. The Inaugural Session continued into the evening with a colourful Fashion Show by Aronai Entertainment, which featured the launch of a fusion Wedding Ensemble followed by Musical Performances by Dr. P Gogoi and team, and the band The Family Tree.
TRIFED conducted Artisan Empanelment drive on 17th November, 2025.
Exclusive sessions on “Oral and Written Histories: Indigenous Arts, Weaving, Ecological Crafts, Food Traditions & Languages”, held on 19th November 2025 in collaboration with the North East India History Association (NEIHA).
Inaugurating the exclusive session, eminent historian Dr J.B. Bhattacharjee, Retired Professor, NEHU, and Former Vice-Chancellor of Assam University, emphasised the urgency of documenting and safeguarding traditional knowledge systems amid shifting socio-cultural landscapes.
The exclusive sessions brought together distinguished scholars, researchers, and cultural practitioners. The first panel, moderated by Professor Amena Passah, Retired Head and Professor, Department of History, NEHU and General Secretary of NEIHA, featured Pritam Brahma Choudhury (Journalist, Prasar Bharti), Professor Sukhendu Debbarma (Tripura University; Dean, Social Sciences; Dean, Music and Fine Arts), Mr. Pinuel Basumatary (President, Boro Diaspora Forum), Mr. Dawa Penjor (General Secretary, BIFA, Bhutan), and Dr. Uttam Bathari (Associate Professor, Department of History, Gauhati University). The second panel, moderated by Dr. Zothanchhingi Khiangte, PI EMWSSAA, BU, included Retired Professor Salam Irene (Manipur University), Dr. Kaburagi Yoshihiro (Former Lecturer, Happy Science University), Advocate Pallavi Basumatary and Anjali Sonowal Rabha (Maa Vhoirabi Multiple Purpose Women Development Society), Professor Sarah Hilaly (Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh), and Mr. Damewanmi Suchiang (Founder, Na Kper Homegardens’ Harvest, Meghalaya).
Further discussions were continued in Session 3 by Retired Professor Salam Irene as Moderator, and featured speakers like author, critic and public speaker Mayur Bora, Kishan Bagdi, Assistant Professor, Royal Global University, and Jaiklong Basumatary, Founder of Aronai Entertainment, who explored evolving identities, creative economies, and cultural continuity. The session concluded with a captivating performance of Tamasudare, a traditional Japanese art form presented by Dr. Y. Kaburagi, offering a rare intercultural experience.
As part of the concluding event on the 19th, a Valedictory session was held. Dr. Zothanchhingi Khiangte led this session with a word of thanks for TRIFED, NEC, the VC, Registrars, the University, artisans, performers, and the entire Organising Team. A word of appreciation was also delivered by Professor Peter Birkelund Anderson, Associate Professor, Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, Kobenhavns University, Denmark.
Remarks of gratitude were also shared by Dr. Gayatri Dekadoloi, Assistant Professor, Political Science, Bodoland University, and Dr. Faguna Barmahalia, Department of Bodo, Gauhati University — who acknowledged and thanked Dr. Zothanchhingi Khiangte for organising the event, and Dr. Birphung Narzary, Joint Registrar of BU, also received gifts from artisans of Assam on behalf of the University and delivered a speech for the session.
The event concluded with an uplifting open mic night, where students, artisans, and community members shared songs, poetry, and traditional dances — reflecting the spirit of cultural ownership and artistic pride that shaped the entire week.
Project EMWSSAA, with support from NEC and TRIFED, continues to strengthen indigenous economies, cultural literacy, and community-driven knowledge-sharing across the North East.