Bhubaneswar: For the first time in Odisha, a tribal poets’ meet was organised with participation of 48 poets from different tribes in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the tribal poets’ meet, held at the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI) in Bhubaneswar, Jagannath Saraka, Minister of ST &SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department and Law said, “It is a matter of pride for all of us to present the glorious history and cultural heritage through poetry on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. This is the first time that a state-level meet of the tribal poets is being organised.”
Through the Odisha Tribal Empowerment and Livelihood Program (OTELP), emphasis is being given to the development of 30 backward blocks in the districts of Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Rayagada,” he added.
Das Benhur, Editor of Sargiful, said literature cannot be created without compassion. “Every poet must have sensitivity, sympathy, empathy and emotion. The emergence of poetry is from nature, so the birth of poem is from the people of nature i.e., tribals,” he added.
Indramani Tripathy, director, SCSTRTI, said famous poets from various tribal communities including Binjhal, Desia, Gadaba, Kisan, Koya, Kui, Saora, Munda, Bhumija, juang, Santhali and Ho will recite poems. All the poems presented here will be published in a special edition.
On the first day of the two-day meet, 24 poets recited their poems. They included 2 poets from Binjhal tribe, 3 from Koya, 10 from Kui, 3 from Saora and one poet each from Paraja, Lanjia, Gond, Kuvi, Gadaba and Desia tribes.
Samarendra Bhutia, OSD, SCSTRTI conducted the programme while deputy director Santosh Rath welcomed the guests and assistant director Madhusmita Sahoo offered vote of thanks.
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