New Delhi: The Ashtalakshmi Festival, celebrating the vibrant culture and economy of Northeast India, concludes at Bharat Mandapam. Organized by the Ministry of DoNER and the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation, the festival showcased traditional arts, textiles, tourism, and GI-tagged products from the region.
A major highlight was the manuscript painting exhibition by Assamese artist Sujit Das, who demonstrated the ancient art form rooted in the Vaishnavite era under Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev. Das showcased traditional sanchipat paintings, crafted on bark paper using natural materials like hengul (red), haital (yellow), white clay, indigo, and bel gum.
The exhibition received praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, and other dignitaries. Paintings depicting Guru Sankardev’s life and works by trainees from the Art Village Project, mentored by Sujit Das, also captivated visitors.
The Ashtalakshmi Festival has successfully promoted Northeast India’s cultural heritage and economic potential on a national stage, with Assam’s manuscript paintings standing out as a symbol of artistic excellence.
