Honouring Southern Craftsmanship: President’s Special ‘At Home’ Invite Highlights India’s Heritage

Sub : History

Sec: Art and Culture

Why in News

This year’s Republic Day celebration marked the 75th anniversary of India’s formation as a republic. In a unique departure from tradition, President Draupadi Murmu introduced an innovative and symbolic gesture to honour the craftsmanship of the five southern states—Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh—through a curated box of handicrafts distributed alongside the traditional invitation for the customary ‘At Home’ reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Traditional Invitation with a Modern Twist:

Invitations for Rashtrapati Bhavan’s ‘At Home’ receptions are typically embossed with the Lion Capital of Ashoka.
To commemorate 75 years of the Republic, this year’s invite includes a curated box of crafts from the five southern states.
The idea for this symbolic gesture was proposed by President Draupadi Murmu and executed by Rashtrapati Bhavan in collaboration with the National Institute of Design (NID).

Craft Box:

The box symbolizes India’s 5,000-year-old civilizational history and carries the message of sustainability.
The artifacts reflect colour schemes inspired by the 75th anniversary of the Republic of India.
The box highlights crafts with Geographical Indication (GI) tags from the southern states under the “One District One Product” scheme.
Packaging Material: A bamboo weave box featuring Kalamkari paintings crafted by Nimmalakunta artisans.
Crafted Items: Here’s a table summarizing the crafted items –

Product	Location	Description
Ikat-Pochampalli Fabric Cover	Bhoodan Pochampally, Telangana	Intricate geometric patterns created using the Ikat dyeing technique on silk or cotton fabrics, recognized with GI status.
Ganjifa Art Fridge Magnet	Mysore, Karnataka	Depicts miniature paintings from the traditional Ganjifa card game, blending cultural heritage with contemporary utility.
Kanjeevaram Silk Pouch	Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu	Luxurious silk pouch featuring durable fabric and zari work, emblematic of Tamil Nadu’s weaving heritage and GI-tagged silk sarees.
Etikoppaka Dolls	Etikoppaka, Andhra Pradesh	Wooden toys crafted from Ankudu wood, lacquered and colored with natural dyes, representing eco-friendly craftsmanship, GI-tagged.
Screwpine Bookmark	Kerala	Handwoven bookmark from screwpine leaves, showcasing intricate weaving techniques, promoting sustainability and traditional artisanry.
Bamboo Weave Box	Various Regions	Box crafted using traditional bamboo weaving techniques, known for its eco-friendliness and aesthetic appeal.
Kalamkari Paintings	Nimmalakunta, Andhra Pradesh	Hand-painted artwork featuring mythological narratives, crafted using natural dyes, preserving Andhra Pradesh’s artistic legacy.

National Institute of Design (NID):

Established in 1961.
Headquarters: Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Objective: Promote design education and innovation in India.
Declared an ‘Institution of National Importance’ in 2014 under the NID Act.
Supports artisans and crafts through design interventions and skill development.
Functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
Collaborates on projects like ‘One District One Product’ and sustainability initiatives.

One District One Product (ODOP):

Introduced by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 2018.
Promote district-specific products to boost local economies, enhance rural livelihoods, and increase exports.
Focuses on one unique product per district (e.g., crafts, textiles, or food). Provides branding, marketing, and financial support to local artisans and manufacturers.
Integrated with PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme.
Collaboration with schemes like Skill India, Make in India, and Digital India.