Tribal Festival in Uttarakhand attracts participation of artisans from pan-India

New Delhi, 17 Nov (KNN) The Tribal Festival organised by the State Tribal Research Cum-Cultural Centre and Museum (T.R.I.) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs from 11th to 13th of November 2021 witnessed a vibrant event with a large number of visitors who attended the Local Arts and Crafts Exhibition.

Tribal communities of Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Orissa, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and notable artists and craft persons from tribal areas of around 15 states of India participated in the event.

Displaying their creative arts, academic and cultural achievements, students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) of Uttarakhand also participated enthusiastically in the festival.

Artisans and craftsperson from Nagaland, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand and other states displayed indigenous handmade products for sale. They showcased a variety of handicrafts, jewellery, winter wear collections, tribal fusion fashion, paintings, carpets, traditional medicines and more. Lively activities such as Aipan Painting and Pottery Making were also conducted and refreshments were distributed to the participants.

On this occasion, S. S. Toliya, Director Tribal Welfare Department, Uttarakhand, announced that the event truly imbibed the spirit of “Aatmnirbhar Bharat” and “Vocal for Local”. It was an effort by the Department to provide a platform for tribal artisans and craftsperson to manifest their talents and provide financial benefits.

Artisans of the Angami tribe of Nagaland exhibited hand-woven winter wear created from Cashmilon wool. Oraon tribes from Jharkhand produced Handmade Artificial Jewellery together with the tribes of West Bengal who brought Handmade Jute bags, dolls, toys and ethnic Kurtis. Besides, Ethnic Mekhla and Dokhonasaree made by the Rabha, Bodo and Mising tribe of Assam, ethnic traditional jewellery from Rajasthan, Gond paintings from Madhya Pradesh, Artworks from Punjab, Kalamkari Prints made from natural colours and Handblock prints made by Pedana Tribe from Andhra Pradesh stole the spotlight of the exhibition.

An artisan, Khreilazomo Kiewhuo from Kohima, Nagaland expressed her happiness in attending the festival. Further, she appreciated the Tribal Department’s efforts to promote the cultural diversity of India and its various employment opportunities to artisans and craftsmen. She also mentioned that she was a representative of the seven sister states and that this was her first visit to Uttarakhand. 

Another artisan, Anupa Kujur from Ranchi, Jharkhand acknowledged the initiative of the government to promote the country’s art and culture, unite them under one roof and provide benefits to artisans and craftsmen. Her stall was flooded with customers and she seemed delighted to be attending the festival.

The indigenous tribal artisans of Uttarakhand like Bhotiyas, Tahru, Raji, Boksa and Jaunsari also displayed arts and crafts like Driftwood art, hats and jackets, paintings, carpets, woollen wears and lots more.

The Cultural evening witnessed various musical cultural programmes by students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and tribal groups from Orissa, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand. Renowned artist like Reshma Saha and Rajendra Chauhan attracted the eyeballs of the audience. The evening concluded with a spellbound performance by renowned singer Govind Digari. The audience could not resist dancing to the tunes of Pahadi, Punjabi and Hindi songs.

N.S. Napalchiyal, former Chief Secretary and former Chairman, Uttarakhand Tribal Commission addressed the closing ceremony of the Uttarakhand Tribal Festival in the presence of S. S. Toliya, Director Uttarakhand Tribal Welfare Department, Yogendra Rawat, Additional Director, Uttarakhand Tribal Welfare Department, and other dignitaries in Dehradun, in the closing ceremony of the event. The remarkable cultural performances by the tribal artists exuded the essence of Unity in the Diversity of India. 

The most notable feature of the three-day-long festival was the Experiential Gallery which won the appreciation of Union Cabinet Minister Arjun Munda and  Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami

Tribal Artisans and Craftsperson from 15 states displayed and sold their exquisite handmade products at the exhibition in Uttarakhand Tribal Festival. The cultural performances by tribal community artists like Tharu, Bhotiya, Raji and Jausari left the audience awe-struck. Renowned artist Kishan Mahipal enthralled the audience with his musical and cultural programme in the evening. 

Rajeev Solanki, Research Officer, Uttarakhand Tribal Welfare Department, congratulated the participants, artisans and craftsperson from distant states and places to attend the festival. He announced that the festival aptly depicted traditional values, culture and art and assured the communities that the Department would continuously work for their amelioration and prosperous future, he also added that such events would be organized regularly to promote traditional culture and heritage.