Assam’s rich tribal weaving traditions received national recognition as two master artisans from the state were conferred with the prestigious National Handicrafts Awards by the President of India, in New Delhi on December 9, 2025. This honour underscores the vital importance of preserving traditional knowledge and skills in the textile sector.

The Honoured Artisans and Their Craft

• Bapukan Payeng (National Handicrafts Award 2024):
  • Hails from Majuli and specializes in Mirijim Textiles.
  • Mirijim, also known as ‘Gadu’ in Mising language, is a traditional hand-woven blanket of the Mishing community , used widely during the winter. 
  • Payeng is recognized for his over 30 years of experience and efforts to revive endangered weaving techniques.
  • He is also the recipient of the Assam State Award for Handicrafts (2019). 
• Sabina Teronpi (National Handicrafts Award 2023):
  • Hails from Karbi Anglong and is an expert in Karbi Tribal Textiles.
  • She is skilled in Saphee Lanphee (hand embroidery) craftworks and has spent over two decades contributing to the art.
  • Her traditional creations include Karbi items like Seleng Pekok, a cotton garment worn over the upper bod

Government’s Role in Promoting Heritage

The National Handicrafts Awards are conferred by the Ministry of Textiles to honor master artisans and weavers for their outstanding craftsmanship, development of new techniques, and contribution to the sector. This aligns with government initiatives such as:

• Handloom Development Schemes: Schemes under the Ministry of Textiles aim to provide financial assistance, design input, and market support (e.g., through national exhibitions and digital platforms) to artisans and weavers, especially those in the tribal belts of the Northeast.
• Geographical Indications (GI): Promoting GI tags for unique textiles and other handloom products protects the intellectual property of these communities and boosts their market value globally.

By honouring these artisans, the government underscores that traditional crafts are not merely cultural markers but vital sources of sustainable rural employment and entrepreneurship. Such recognition helps preserve indigenous textile knowledge systems that have been passed down through generations. It also affirms the role of artisans as custodians of India’s intangible cultural heritage.

Exam Hook: Prelims Question

Q. With reference to the recent National Handicrafts Awards conferred to artisans from Assam, consider the following statements:

1. Bapukan Payeng, the recipient of the 2024 award, is a master artisan specializing in the Mirijim textile tradition of the Mishing community from Majuli.
2. The traditional Karbi weaving, represented by Sabina Teronpi, primarily focuses on the production of the famous Assam Silk, Muga.
3. The National Handicrafts Awards are presented by the Ministry of Culture to promote folk traditions.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1 only

(B) 1 and 2 only

(C) 2 and 3 only

(D) 1, 2, and 3

Correct Answer: (A) 1 only

(Statement 2 is incorrect; Karbi weaving uses cotton yarn for items like Seleng Pekok, and Muga is a different silk variety. Statement 3 is incorrect; the awards are conferred by the Ministry of Textiles.)

One Line Wrap: The National Handicrafts Awards to Bapukan Payeng (Mishing-Mirijim) and Sabina Teronpi (Karbi Textiles) celebrate Assam’s rich and diverse tribal weaving heritage, underscoring its importance for cultural preservation and rural economy.

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