By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 11: For artists, designers and entrepreneurs across Meghalaya, Winter Tales has evolved into more than a festival—it is a platform that amplifies visibility, fosters opportunities and celebrates indigenous creativity.
The three-day event, now in its sixth edition, combines exhibitions, live demonstrations and sales of crafts, organic foods and locally grown plants.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Dial Muktieh, owner of Mei-Ramew Café (Mother Earth Café), described the festival as a turning point in her entrepreneurial journey. Since her first participation in 2022, she has showcased her culinary creations at every edition.
“By participating in Winter Tales, I meet many new customers who come to taste my food,” she said, noting that tourists often travel to Khweng to visit her café.
Her collaboration with NESFAS has further strengthened her reach among visitors seeking sustainable, indigenous food experiences.
Winter Tales also highlights businesses that blend creativity with social impact. Ekanbha, founded by hearing-impaired entrepreneur Ferdinand Lyngdoh Marshillong, produces handmade bags and home accessories while providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
According to a company representative, Winter Tales is the perfect space to showcase both craftsmanship and inclusion.
“Apart from making quality handmade items, we work to empower individuals with physical disabilities,” the representative said.
Fashion designer Daisy Christine Momin, founder of Hokchimsa Creations, brought the elegance of Garo traditional attire to the festival. Her stall featured contemporary outfits inspired by tribal motifs and garments made using Kalamkari-style natural dyes.
A participant since the festival’s inception at Hotel Pinewood, Momin described Winter Tales as a continuously evolving platform for promoting local designers and tribal art forms.
On the other hand, a debutant young gardener from Mawlai Mawtawar exhibited Meghalaya’s botanical diversity, offering local flowers, medicinal plants, orchids and fruit saplings grown using organic manure.
“We want to promote traditional plants and flowers unique to Meghalaya,” she said, highlighting the event as a space for plant enthusiasts to connect and exchange knowledge.
First-time fusion artist Melborn Nongkhlaw showcased customised prints blending traditional Khasi elements with contemporary art, including a t-shirt design depicting a man and woman in traditional attire.
Similarly, artist Pynshngainlang Sohkhlet presented works reflecting Khasi culture, scenic landscapes, and tourism hotspots, rooted in childhood passion and refined craftsmanship.
Also debuting this year was an Eri silk specialist presenting shawls, jainsems and garments made from ryndia, emphasising the warmth and durability of Meghalaya’s renowned silk.
