Nagaland: Designer Ritu Beri under fire for ‘hurting sentiments’ of Nagas

Renowned designer Ritu Beri came under fire from Nagaland women for ‘hurting sentiments’ of the Nagas.

The Chakhesang Women Welfare Society has slammed designer Beri for showcasing the Chakhesang traditional shawls at Suraj Kund Crafts Mela without their permission.

The executive director of the society, Vechulo-u Kanuo on Thursday expressed shock and anguish at Beri for allegedly making a “mockery” of Chakhesang Nagas’ traditionally woven shawls.

The traditional shawls were developed and preserved over the years by them.

The society said the Chakhesang Nagas, along with other Nagas, strongly condemned designer Beri for “misappropriation” of traditional Naga designs and ethnicity in her collection.

The shawls were showcased in the Suraj Kund Crafts Mela on the theme “Naturally North-East: The Naga Narrative”.

“We are enraged by the humiliation she has caused to the Naga heritage,” Kanuo said.

“Our traditional shawls and attires were woven and designed with deep rooted meanings that are attached to the core of our sentiment as a community.