Meghalaya’s Arts, Crafts and Textiles Have Now Found a Home in the Capital City

Indian handicrafts have long continued to create a buzz across borders. Known for their originality, diversity, variety, intricacy and reflecting the sheer hard work of artisans, the country’s handicrafts have been loved and preserved by people from all walks of life. Amidst the variety are Meghalaya’s well known arts, crafts, textiles and agri-produces. And now it has become easier for enthusiasts to cherish and buy these Meghalayan products. The Meghalayan Age store, inaugurated on December 9, 2021, has become the connection between the artisans and farmers of the state and the patrons who cherish fine quality products. 

Aimed at making these products available to both patrons India and abroad, the store was inaugurated by Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Textiles and Commerce & Industries, in the presence of Conrag K. Sangma, the state’s Chief Minister.

The store is home to a wide array of curated products — ranging from Larnai pottery to Ryndia silk. In addition to this, the store also markets indigenous agri-products of Meghalaya such as Lakadong turmeric, wild forest honey and Sohiong jam. The store — located at Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhavan at Baba Kharak Singh Road, Connaught Place — embodies the rich cultural heritage of the three major tribes in the state, namely Khasi, Jaintia and Garo. With a contemporary architectural aesthetic, the store is a state government initiative to enhance the value of the arts, handicrafts and textiles produced in the state, while ensuring that artisans and farmers get their fair share of an enhanced value. 

Patrons can also expect the online store to be launched within the next two to three months and soon be expanded to other major cities in the country. The store is also a depiction of the state’s culture as well as its tranquil nature. The arts, crafts and textiles for the store have been sourced via the ‘Ateliers Meghalaya Program’ where in 22 master artisans/curators have worked with individual artisans across product segments to develop these products. Not only this, at every stage of production, these artisans were handheld by the master artisans/curators to ensure quality as well as to adhere to design aesthetics. 

“Meghalaya is home to some of the best artisans and farmers in the country; however, unfortunately they have not been able to get the real worth of their efforts and ingenuity, and that the Meghalayan Age Store is a step taken by the Government towards enabling artisans and farmers of the State to attain a higher value and appreciation for their products,” said Sangma at the inauguration of the store.