National Tribal Craft Mela and Dance Festival Takes Off In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The 13th National Tribal Craft Mela and Dance Festival took off at IDCO Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

Inaugurating the festival, Jagannath Saraka, Minister ST & SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare, said, “Tribal communities bring a unique and diverse cultural heritage. Today the new generations are also demonstrating their talent in various fields bringing honor to the communities. The National Tribal Dance and Craft Mela at Bhubaneswar has become a confluence bringing the artists and artisans of the Indian tribal communities together.”

Roopa Roshan Sahoo, Secretary of the department, Indramani Tripathy, Director of SCSTRTI, Santosh Rath, Deputy Director and Samarendra Bhutia, OSD of SCSTRTI were also present.

An anthology on painting of tribal artist from Odisha, titled ‘Shades on Canvas’ was released at the programme. The Coffee Table Book published by SCSTRTI captures the artistic imaginations of 26 young tribal artists of Odisha.

Organised by SCSTRTI under ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Class Welfare department, the event is supported by Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It brings together artisans, performers and enthusiasts from across the country to present the wide and unique forms of India’s tribal heritage.

The 3-day National Tribal Dance Festival from January 5 to 7 will be held from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm, showcasing diverse and vibrant tribal dance forms from different corners of the country. Similarly, the National Tribal Craft Mela, being organised from January 5 to 11, brings together a kaleidoscope of colors and skills of tribal communities. It will remain open from 2.30 pm to 9 pm.

Artisans from 12 states are participating in the week-long art and craft exhibition to showcase and sell their traditional artifacts. Over 70 stalls with their products have been opened at the Mela. Besides, tribal artists from 14 states, including Odisha, will be displaying various traditional performances.

A diverse array of handicraft products including iron craft of Chhattisgarh, bamboo craft of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Sikkim and Gujarat, handloom and textile of Assam, Manipur and Jharkhand, embroidery work of Tamil Nadu, Mooj Grass products of Uttarakhand, wood craft of Uttar Pradesh, tribal jewellery of Manipur, Assam and Madhya Pradesh are key attractions at the Craft Mela.

This year, 16 tribal crafts of Odisha including embroidery work of Dongria Kandha, textile and bead works of Bonda and comb making of Kutia Kandha are being demonstrated live by the tribal artisans at the Mela.