Showcasing Culture, Craft, and Tea at Expo 2025

Shillong, May 22: A slice of Meghalaya is captivating visitors in Osaka, Japan, offering an immersive experience of the state’s rich cultural heritage, traditional craftsmanship, and vibrant artistic expressions.

Since May 18, Meghalaya has been the cynosure of all eyes at the State Zone of the India Pavilion – Bharat – at Expo 2025 Osaka. The showcase will continue until May 24.

Guests from around the world are exploring Meghalaya’s distinctive Geographical Indication (GI) tagged treasures. Among the highlights are the elegant Black Clay Pottery from the Jaintia Hills—crafted into cookware, tableware, décor, and wellness products using rare black clay—and Eri Silk, locally known as Ryndia, renowned for its sustainable production and woven into graceful stoles, scarves, and apparel.

The Indian Embassy in Japan noted that visitors to the Bharat Pavilion were immersed in stunning visuals of Meghalaya’s culture, music, and tourism through animations and multimedia installations—offering a rich, multisensory journey into the heart of Northeast India.

Lakadong Turmeric, celebrated for its high curcumin content and purity, was presented as a symbol of wellness and indigenous agricultural excellence. Visitors also admired intricate bamboo and cane handicrafts, wooden artefacts, and exquisite traditional costumes and ornaments—each piece reflecting the state’s deep-rooted connection to nature and tradition.

The pavilion came alive with soulful performances by a musical troupe from Meghalaya, whose traditional rhythms at the North Pop-up Stage transported audiences to the hills of the Northeast.

A standout moment was the Meghalaya Tea Ceremony, where the aroma and flavour of the state’s highland-grown speciality teas—such as the acclaimed Urlong Tea—drew curious visitors into an authentic tasting experience. The ceremony offered not just a warm sip from the hills, but also a cultural journey steeped in hospitality and heritage.

Interactive sessions on Black Clay Pottery and video screenings showcasing Meghalaya’s breathtaking landscapes, music, and communities further enchanted audiences. Immersive visuals and animations projected at the India Pavilion brought the essence of the state vividly to life.

Also Read: From Khasi Hills to Osaka: Meghalaya’s Ribahun Umsong brews a global tea story of resilience and dreams

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