India, Aug. 12 -- Artisans from across the country have created handmade invitation cards for the President Droupadi Murmu's At Home reception on Independence Day, reflecting distinct traditional art forms. The National Institute of Design (NID) (Ahmedabad) coordinated project brought together skills passed down through generations to empower artisan communities.

Artist Jaba Chitrakar and her family in West Bengal's Naya produced 750 invitations, measuring five by nine inches. "A representative from NID called and asked me to complete this order for the August 15 celebrations," said Chitrakar's husband and artisan, Montu.

The Chitrakars used natural colours, turmeric, neem leaves, mud, white sand, bel fruit, and coconut garlands for the...