The Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan (BBMP) in Kolkata hosted the inauguration of MATECIA Exhibition (Materials & Products for Construction, Interiors & Architecture), India’s premier building materials exhibition, along with SURFACES REPORTER, one of the country’s most reputable architecture and design media outlets. The inauguration signaled the beginning of East and Northeast India’s largest-ever convergence of interior design, architecture, and construction materials.

Prominent industry leaders, top architects, and policymakers attended the three-day event, which took place from January 30 to February 1, 2026. Mr. Ashish Vidyarthi, the founder of Ashish Vidyarthi & Associates and a National Award-winning actor and motivational speaker, was the Chief Guest.

The inaugural ceremony also saw the presence of eminent guests like Mr. Rajesh Mittal, President, FIPPI and CMD, Greenply Industries Ltd, Mr. Surinder Arora, President, ILMA and Managing Director, Virgo Industries Ltd, Mr. Ramesh Bagla, President, CTMA, Ms. Meenakshi Ganeshan, Deputy Director General, BIS, East Zone, Mr. Manoj Lohia of Merino Industries Ltd, Mr. Joydeep Chitlangia of Duroply, Mr. Vishal Dokania of Durian, Mr. Rushil Thakkar of Rushil Décor, Mr. Gajanan Munka of Saburi Plywood, Mr. Gaurav Bagla, President, BTIA, Mr. Vikas Khemka, Vice President, BTMA, Mr. M.P. Singh, former Director, IWST and FIPPI, and Mr. J. Ahuja of ILMA.

From more than 12 states in East and Northeast India, including Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, more than 150 top architecture and design firms, interior designers, developers, dealers, brands, and channel partners were present at the event. In addition to strengthening the size, diversity, and inventiveness of the eastern and northeastern design ecosystem, the robust regional participation established Kolkata as an essential cultural and regional bridge.

Encompassing more than 1,50,000 square feet, the event showcased more than 100 top interior and surface brands and brought together the best interior designers and architects from the east and northeast, representing more than 500 iconic projects. An estimated 14,000–16,000 people from more than 100 towns and cities attended the event.

The event was graced by prominent architects, including Ar. Sunil Maniramka, Ar. Rupande Shah, Ar. Monica Khosla Bhargava, Ar. Amber Chandgothia, Ar. J. P. Agrawal, and Ar. Bipratip Dhar, among others.

The active participation of architectural associations from Jharkhand, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh further strengthened the region’s architectural community’s strong sense of collective identity and spirit of cooperation.

In addition to solidifying the region’s superior design on India’s architectural map, the MATECIA Exhibition and SURFACES REPORTER Architecture Event East & Northeast India made significant progress in reinterpreting the area on a national scale.

Priyanka Dutta