Khneng embroidery from Meghalaya has received a major national spotlight after Air India Express featured the traditional Khasi craft as part of its #TalesOfIndia initiative. The move has brought renewed attention to an indigenous art form that has been practised for nearly 200 years in Mustoh village of East Khasi Hills.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma highlighted the development on social media, describing the craft as a treasured part of the state’s cultural heritage. He said its presence on Air India Express offered an opportunity for the tradition to travel far beyond its place of origin.
Khneng embroidery takes flight
Air India Express has featured Khneng on an aircraft as part of its wider effort to showcase India’s diverse traditional arts and crafts through its #TalesOfIndia initiative. The airline’s presentation places Meghalaya’s heritage alongside other recognised Indian craft traditions.
The Tata Group’s description of the initiative identifies Khneng as a 200-year-old tradition associated with the Khasi community of Mustoh. It highlights the craft’s precise straight and cross-stitches, geometric forms and nature-inspired designs worked along the borders of Eri textiles.
The national exposure is significant because Khneng has historically remained closely associated with a small number of villages in Meghalaya. Its appearance on a commercial aircraft allows passengers from different parts of India to encounter a lesser-known aspect of the state’s cultural identity.
A craft rooted in Khasi heritage
The word “Khneng” means “border” in Khasi and refers to the traditional placement of the embroidery along the edges of garments and textiles. The craft is particularly associated with Eri silk, locally known as jaiñ ryndia, and has traditionally been used to decorate Khasi garments.
The patterns are recognised for their rhythmic and carefully counted designs. They include geometric forms such as diamonds, squares and zigzags, while some motifs draw inspiration from local flora and fauna. The design tradition is also associated with the Ktiar, a local insect resembling a centipede.
The embroidery requires considerable patience and precision. Artisans work by carefully counting threads and using running stitches to create evenly distributed motifs. According to documentation by the North East Society for Agroecology Support, artisans can spend several hours a day on the craft, with a 24-inch shawl taking roughly 18 to 24 hours to complete.
From endangered craft to wider recognition
The latest recognition is particularly important given the challenges faced by the tradition. Earlier efforts to document and revive Khneng found that only a handful of artisans were practising the technique. Preservation initiatives, including workshops and artisan groups, were subsequently undertaken to strengthen skills and create greater market awareness.
The craft’s revival has also attracted attention from designers and educational institutions. Contemporary textile and fashion initiatives have incorporated Khneng into new designs while continuing to use traditional Eri silk and local techniques.
This growing interest has helped demonstrate that traditional crafts can remain relevant beyond ceremonial clothing and local markets. Greater visibility can potentially create new opportunities for artisans, provided that commercial expansion remains connected to the communities that preserve the technique.
Khneng embroidery gains further recognition
The national attention comes at a time when Meghalaya is taking steps to support its indigenous craft traditions. A recent state government notification lists Khneng embroidery among the traditional crafts covered under its master craftsman initiative, which seeks to support experienced artisans and facilitate skill transfer to new generations.
There is also a formal push for geographical recognition. The Geographical Indications Registry records an application for “Meghalaya Khneng Embroidery”, filed in August 2025 by the Khyndaikyntoit Social and Cultural Organization. The application was under examination as of July 2026.
Together, these developments point to increasing institutional interest in protecting and promoting the craft.
For Meghalaya, the Air India Express showcase is therefore more than a visual feature. It places a specialised Khasi tradition before a much wider audience and creates another platform for conversations around indigenous knowledge, artisan livelihoods and cultural preservation.
As Khneng embroidery travels beyond Mustoh and the Khasi hills, its national exposure could help ensure that the intricate craft remains not only a symbol of Meghalaya’s heritage but also a living tradition passed on to future generations.