Bhubaneswar: The Adivasi Mela 2024, showcasing tribal culture, tradition, anthropological narratives and a range of products from various pockets of Odisha, opened at Adivasi Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
ST & SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Minister Jagannath Saraka inaugurated the Mela which was also attended by secretary of the department Roopa Roshan Sahoo and Director, SCSTRTI & Member Secretary, Academy of Tribal Language and Culture (ATLC) Indramani Tripathy and senior officials.
The Minister said the annual Adivasi Mela has so far crossed 70 years of journey as it came to Bhubaneswar in 1954 after it was started in then capital city Cuttack in 1951.
“As per the demand of the participants at the Adivasi Mela last year, a permanent facility for effective market linkages of the tribal products and crafts would be planned in the city in future. A multilingual drama festival by different tribal communities will be organised between February 3 and 5 at the Adivasi Mela Ground as a sideline event of the World Odia Language Conference.”
The event will continue till February 5 and the ground will remain open to the public from 2.30 pm to 9 pm. It has 66 stalls under the Tribal Haat, 15 for art and crafts, 10 tribal huts and 24 for government line departments.
The Adivasi Mela has an ensemble of tribal products including ‘haldi’ (turmeric) from Kandhamal, millet products, minor forest produce from different tribal pockets and freshly procured strawberry from Sunabeda.
The SHGs associated with the ITDAs and MPAs are also showcasing their art and craft items. Cashless transaction facilities through digital payment options are available and the use of plastics and polythene is strictly prohibited.
As many as 39 cultural troupes from various districts, sponsored through Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) and Micro Project Agencies (MPAs) for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, will perform during 11 days of the Mela.
The event, organised by the Academy of Tribal Language and Culture (ATLC), is participated by 22 ITDAs and 17 MPAs. A Bhajan Sandhya and drama by the ST & SC Development Department Cultural Association will also be organised.