Orange Wild Rhea & Stinging Nettle fabric from Nagaland, crafted by the Khiamniungan Naga showcased at the President’s Republic Day ‘At Home’ reception. (Image Courtesy: https://rb.nic.in/)
Kohima, January 25 (MExN): Nagaland will return to the Republic Day parade tableau after a gap of 14 years, with the State set to showcase the iconic Hornbill Festival at the 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on January 26.
Nagaland’s tableau, themed “The Hornbill Festival – Celebrating Culture, Tourism and Self-Reliance,” will highlight the State’s cultural heritage, its globally recognised festival, and the growing focus on tourism-led development in line with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The State is among the 17 States and Union Territories participating in this year’s Republic Day parade.
The upcoming presentation marks Nagaland’s first appearance at the national parade since 2012, when the State’s tableau showcased Communitisation, a government programme aimed at empowering people through participatory governance. The initiative had gained international recognition after winning the United Nations Public Service Award for the Asia-Pacific region.
According to an official release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on January 22, a total of 30 tableaux—17 from States and Union Territories and 13 from various Ministries, Departments and Services—will roll down Kartavya Path during the 77th Republic Day parade.
From the Northeast, Assam and Manipur will also present their tableaux at Kartavya Path, placing the region’s cultural and developmental narratives on the national stage.
Earlier, Rashtrapati Bhavan shared a glimpse of a specially designed invitation card for the ‘At Home’ reception on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day, highlighting the craftsmanship of artisans from the Ashtalakshmi North Eastern states, including Nagaland.
A key highlight from Nagaland is a fabric panel made from Orange Wild Rhea and stinging nettle, a traditional textile art practised by the Khiamniungan Naga tribe. According to the official description, the rare textile reflects the revival of once-lost indigenous traditions and is made from stem fibres of the wild orange rhea plant and Himalayan stinging nettle, locally known as Ehlon Niu. Women artisans gather the fibres from the wild, split them into fine strands and spin them into yarn before weaving the cloth. Emerging from challenging circumstances, the fabric has since gained recognition as a sought-after textile, symbolising cultural continuity, resilience and pride. The sample featured on the scroll is further adorned with beads made from grains of Job’s Tears (Adlay millet), traditionally used in the region for jewellery-making.
According to reports, the Republic Day ‘At Home’ invitation box has been designed by the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, using a woven bamboo mat. The outer cover carries a handmade paper tag bearing the guest’s address, paired with bamboo artwork crafted from specially smoked bamboo splits, lending the box a distinctive rich brown finish.
