The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) at Shillong today kickstarted its Craft Bazar, which is a curtain raiser to its popular annual festival, Spectrum.
The chief guest was Meghalaya’s latest Padma Shri awardee, Silby Passah.
Addressing a packed gathering that consisted of faculty, students, parents and distinguished invitees, Passah dwelt on the significance of handicrafts and textiles and their impact on everyone’s lives.
“In a world dominated by mass production and uniformity, handicraft represents a unique expression of human creativity and skill,” she said. “Each piece tells the story of the artisan who crafted it, the culture that inspired it and the traditions that have been passed down through the generations, whether it is a hand woven rug, a piece of artistic pottery, or a delicate piece of embroidery. Handicraft carries with it the sense of authenticity and a deep connection to our past.”
Passah was awarded the Padma Shri for her contribution towards arts and literature and, showcasing her diverse talent, she enthralled the gathering with a song in Hindi that said ‘We are all Indians’.
NIFT Director Shankar Kumar Jha elaborated about the unique crafts of the North East and expressed strong optimism on the enhancement of art and craft in modern times.
The craft bazar is a seminal event of NIFT to highlight and promote the various crafts of the country. The primary aim of this event is to bring the weavers, craftsmen, craftswomen, and consumers to a common space and thereby create a link between the weaver and the market. This year more than 20 artisans from across the North East have converged at the NIFT Shillong campus.