Shillong, Dec 14: The distinctive textile heritage of Meghalaya is commanding global attention at Chiang Mai Design Week 2025, as the state’s traditional Ryndia silk Jainsem textiles make a notable international presence. This participation is facilitated by the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) through the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and the North Eastern Council (NEC).
Representing Meghalaya is Lucky Nora, a social entrepreneur and founder of Zong Hi Studio, who is showcasing handcrafted Ryndia silk Jainsem textiles created in close collaboration with local women weavers. Deeply rooted in Khasi cultural identity, Ryndia silk is known for its natural texture, durability, and sustainable production practices. Through thoughtful design interventions, Lucky Nora’s work preserves the authenticity of traditional Jainsem while adapting it for contemporary global audiences.
The Meghalaya showcase has resonated strongly with international visitors, designers, and cultural practitioners. During interactions at the festival, clear parallels were observed between Meghalaya’s indigenous textile traditions and the Lanna crafts of Northern Thailand, particularly in the use of natural fibres, handwoven processes, earth-inspired colour palettes, and community-based weaving systems. These shared values created a meaningful cultural dialogue, highlighting the deep-rooted connections between indigenous traditions of the Eastern Himalayas and Southeast Asia.
Meghalaya’s participation at Chiang Mai Design Week 2025 marks an important milestone in positioning Ryndia silk as a globally relevant, sustainable textile. The showcase has opened new avenues for cultural exchange, design collaboration, and international market engagement, while reinforcing the role of women-led enterprises in sustaining living craft traditions.
The initiative reflects NEHHDC’s continued commitment to promoting Northeast India’s unique handloom heritage on global platforms and strengthening cultural bridges between India and Thailand.
