JAAPI by Keshar Jyoti Das

Keshar Jyoti Das is an independent filmmaker and educator from Tezpur, Assam. Over the past six years, he has worked with Green Hub training youth across Northeast India to use digital media for conservation and community storytelling. In 2025, he founded KOTHABOOR, a community-based storytelling and creative education initiative. Keshar's film focuses on the Jaapi, one of Assam's oldest cultural symbols. This traditional headgear made from bamboo, cane, and tokou leaves represents identity, craftsmanship, and dignity. Despite its iconic status, the art form is slowly fading with modernization. The film shows how Jaapi-making connects heritage tourism with sustainable livelihoods. Artisan communities, particularly in Nalbari district, use locally sourced, renewable, and biodegradable materials. Their craft reflects eco-friendly practices rooted in indigenous knowledge. Through craft demonstrations, artisan visits, and hands-on workshops, the Jaapi offers visitors authentic cultural experiences while tourism revenue goes directly to local makers. For Keshar, the Jaapi is a bridge between past and future, preserving fading heritage while creating new pathways for cultural tourism and community empowerment.