Northeast diaspora celebrates regional heritage at United Colours event in London

On a summer evening in London, members of the Northeast Indian diaspora gathered at the Indian Gymkhana Club for an event called United Colours of North East India. The programme brought together community members to share the look and sound of the region with an international audience.

The gathering took place on July 11 and featured a showcase meant to include the spirit of all eight northeastern states. Attendees could see traditional handwoven textiles and listen to folk music, along with other cultural performances during the evening.

Food, music and handloom on display

The event was volunteer-led and organised by North East Indians in UK. It also had support from Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, head of Tripura’s erstwhile royal family. Regional cuisine formed part of the celebration, alongside musical performances and a handloom display that highlighted local craft traditions.

Organisers said the focus was not only on entertainment but also on building understanding. An Assam representative, Afifa Fatemi, described the effort as sharing living heritage and using it as a bridge for cross-cultural learning.

A chance to connect and collaborate

A representative from Manipur, Thoiba Thoudam, said the goal was to bring people from the Northeast and from around the world together to celebrate the region’s diversity. Organisers also pointed to gaps in awareness about Northeast India abroad, including misconceptions about where the region is and who lives there.

Alongside the outward message, the event also served the diaspora itself. A Meghalaya representative said it created networking and support opportunities for Northeast Indians in the UK by bringing together professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, students and community members. The organisers said gatherings like this can strengthen connections while helping people find a sense of belonging far from home.