London Turns Canvas of Unity as North-East India's Eight States Come Together
Jul 26, 2026
Agartala, Jul 26: Organised by North East Indians in UK and supported by Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, Head of the Royal Scion of Tripura, the United Colours of North-East India Festival 2026 drew over 500 members of the North-Eastern diaspora to the Indian Gymkhana Club Grounds in London on July 11.The one-day gathering celebrated the cultures of all eight North-Eastern states and aimed to strengthen bonds among the diaspora community in the United Kingdom. Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma had extended his encouragement in helping make the celebration possible. A key feature of the festival was "BRIDGE2WORLDS NE," a day-long art workshop curated by IMA Foundation UK/India. Children and families took part using non-toxic colours sponsored by Dabble, working across two large canvases. The artwork was inaugurated by Rajya Sabha MP from Meghalaya, James Sangma, along with his wife, Jasmine Sangma.
The two canvases were later joined into one, symbolising a bridge across generations, regions and cultures. The finished painting was created based on a concept by Radha Binod Sharma, artist, curator and founder of IMA Foundation, along with director and co-founder Rani Bains and British artist Dave Williams. The centrepiece of the painting depicted Khumi Tonsing Burton, a North-Eastern Indian leader and daughter of T.C. Tiankham, a retired IAS officer who served as Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly following the first election held under the Manipur Constitution Act in 1947. The figure represented the generative and sacrificial love of motherhood in nurturing identity and wellbeing, and organisers said the painting would remain a lasting symbol of the inaugural festival.Radha Binod recalled the first three-day gathering of cultural artists from across the North-East, held in Agartala, Tripura, in 2019, describing such events as important in bringing together people from all eight states to work collectively.
The festival saw enthusiastic participation from second-generation members of the diaspora, many of whom were born or raised in the UK and experienced their cultural heritage in this setting for the first time.Regional food, arranged by Rabbe Angom, was served alongside folk songs, musical performances, traditional handloom displays and cultural presentations representing Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. A fashion show featuring traditional attire from all eight states was curated by Reena Ahanthem, highlighting the region's textile and cultural heritage. Organisers said the event was also meant to raise awareness of North-East India's geography, history and diverse communities, both in India and abroad. They said the festival, beyond its cultural programme, brought together professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, students and families from the diaspora, offering opportunities for networking, collaboration and community building among North-Easterners living in the United Kingdom.
