Aadi Mahotsav festival is TRIFED’s attempt to familiarise people with the rich and diverse craft, culture and cuisine of tribal communities

People have been visiting the Tribes India Aadi Mahotsav at Dilli Haat to get a peek into the rich tribal culture of our country. The festival is TRIFED’s attempt to familiarise the people  with the rich and diverse craft, culture and cuisine of tribal communities across the country at one place.

A major attraction of the festival has been the cultural programmes, which showcase the diversity and variety of Indian tribes. This was a highlight especially on day six, as people enjoyed cultural programmes in the evening. One striking aspect of the programme was a tribal fashion show that featured designs and clothes handcrafted by  tribal master craftsmen and curated by the tribal artisan Ruma Devi and the renowned fashion designer Rina Dhaka. The resplendent weaves and fabrics came to life in the crafted designs that reflect the close connection tribals have with nature.

The show featured tribal weaves from various parts of the country — saris, kurtis, tops, shawls, stoles and exquisite accessories like jewellery from the North East and dhokra jewellery and bags. 

“The Aadi Mahotsav showcases traditional art and handicrafts and the rich, diverse cultural heritage of our tribes. Their close connection with nature and simplicity can be seen in their weaves, clothes, fabrics and artforms. I am happy that TRIFED is popularising tribal culture,” said Pravir Krishna, Managing Director, TRIFED.

Senior IAS officials such as Deepak Khandekar, Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training; R.P. Gupta, Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change; Ajay Tirki, Secretary Ministry of Rural Development; Richa Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change; Ms Manju Pandey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest & Climate Change; Neerja Adidam, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Sudhanshu Pandey, Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution, P K Tripathi, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, and Leena Nandan, Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs among other dignitaries attended the festival.

Other scintillating art forms on display during cultural performances on Saturday evening included Baigi parondha nritya from Madhya Pradesh, Kharsawan Chhau from Jharkhand; Sambalpuri nritya from Odisha; and Jaunsari nritya from Uttarakhand.

Apart from this, a special focus is on the stall dedicated to 50 tribal GI products. They occupy a prominent place and all visitors have been visiting this stall with much interest. One notable visitor was Bhaskar Khulbe, Advisor to the PM. He visited the event on Sunday and took a look at the Van Dhan demo centre, stalls featuring tribal handicrafts and expressed his appreciation for the focus that the GI products have been given.

On the occasion, Khulbe said, “I am pleased to note that TRIFED has actively taken up the cause to promote GI tagged products and transform into a brand, thus empowering tribal artisans.”

The stall features renowned, exquisite items such as Rajasthan’s blue pottery, the Kota Dariya fabric, Madhya Pradesh’s Chanderi and Maheshwari silk, Bagh print, Odisha’s Pattachitra, Karnataka’s Bidriware, Banarasi silk from Uttar Pradesh, Darjeeling tea from West Bengal, Kala jeera from Himachal Pradesh, the extremely spicy Naga chilli, and the large cardamom from the North East.

Besides these GI products, one can also find other ethnic tribal handicrafts and products and organic items — from the natural and immunity-boosting tribal produce such as organic haldi, dry amla, wild honey, black pepper, ragi, triphala and lentil mixes such as moong dal, urad dal, white beans, and dalia to artefacts and paintings in various styles.

(The festival is on at Dilli Haat till February 15 from 11 am to 9 pm.)