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Our Correspondent
Diphu, Feb. 19 (EMN): Nestled atop Taralangso hill, venue of the ongoing 47th Karbi Youth Festival (KYF), 'Nothengpi'- a structure replicating traditional earring worn both by married and unmarried Karbi women- remained the centre of attraction for all visitors.
Made into a permanent structure, ‘Nothengpi’ has been made of pure silver. As the weight of Nothengpi hung on both sides of the ears, the ear hole gradually get enlarged with continued use. In the present day, both unmarried and married women are rarely seen wearing Nothengpi.
Lights reflected from Nothengpi could be seen from far in the evening. Anyone visiting Taralangso during the KYF cannot avoid climbing up the hill to see the Nothengpi. The majestic Nothengpi was constructed at a cost of INR 2 crore by Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC).
The concept for construction of Nothengpi brought out by one Badan Tisso, SDO, PWD, Dokmoka Roads Division. Tisso stated that Nothenpi was constructed in memory of his mother Kasang Beypi, who has left behind her Nothengpi. It was in 2017 during KYF at Rasingja Aklam that a Nothengpi, made of bamboo structure, was first presented to the visitors.
In the following year, the reception committee asked Tisso to construct Nothengpi on a permanent structure. “Seeing it was attractive, KAAC CEM, Tuliram Ronghang, took keen interest in constructing a permanent structure of Nothengpi at KPH, Taralangso,” Tisso said.
The KAAC authority has invested INR 2 crore to construct the Nothengpi, Tisso said and credited the achievement to KAAC CEM.
Kasang Teronpi, an aged woman at Langlokso Zonal Camp, Taralangso, explained that Nothengpi is worn by both unmarried and married women. But for unmarried women the size of the Nothengpi is smaller, while the Nothengpi worn by married women is bigger.
Kasang has been wearing Nothengpi since she was young and has been wearing it till now. She is a regular visitor of KYF from Langlokso KCS Zone.
Her first one pair of Nothengpi was bought by her late father at the cost of INR 60 only. It is made of pure silver. Now the pair of earring would cost between INR 10, 000 to INR 15, 000. A centurion, Kasang said the wearing of Nothengpi is fading away among the Karbi women.
Large visitors including family members could be seen climbing the hill to have a glimpse of Nothengpi