AN OVERVIEW OF ADIVASI MELA:

The State Level Annual Adivasi Exhibition (Adivasi Mela), the ethnically vibrant cultural festival is one of the most attractive Agenda of SC & ST Development Department. The exhibition, the only one of its kind in the country has had its chequered history, beginning right from the 26th January 1951, just one year after India adopted its Constitution to become a Republic. The ‘tryst with destiny” speech of Pt. Nehru and the vibes inherent in the message for nation building provided the required impetus to organize the Adivasi Exhibition.

The exhibition got off the ground, in the erstwhile state capital Cuttack under the auspices of Adivasi and Harijan Welfare Department in 1951. With the shift of the department to Bhuhaneswar, the exhibition changed its venue. Adivasi exhibition is the earliest institutionalized step towards mainstreaming the tribal people of the state through societal dynamics of interaction and interface with their Non-tribal counterparts.

The signature tune of the tribal exhibition goes beyond its literal meaning. The exhibition making the tribal people of the state to meet in a colorful rendezvous, along with there culturally nuanced kaleidoscope. It reflects the culture centric life of the tribal people. The Vibes’ of continuity and change of ethnic life are showcased in the exhibition.

The Time of Exhibition:

The duration of the Adivasi Mela has been extended from one week to a fortnight from the year 2010. The fifteen days long exhibition, with its customary inauguration on 26th January, coinciding the Republic day of the nation, has its own seating venue - a sprawling ground, well maintained and manicured by the department in the heart of the Capital city, Bhubaneswar. The ground, popularly known as Adivasi Padia by the people, of the city is a veritable green oasis amidst the facade of residential location. An ambiance of serene atmosphere hung on the field with flowers and grassy knolls here and there make an un-ending endeavor to replicate the tribal Environment.

Each year, subtle changes of tone and tenor are brought into the design and layout of the exhibition to make it more attractive to the people while the underlying concept of showcasing the time tasted tribal culture remains virtually unchanged.

The Adivasi exhibition showcase the rainbow world of tribal culture, in its varied and myriad form - which are reflected from their pitched stalls on the exhibition ground. The characteristic house pattern of different tribal people, with their material culture in their prototype model adorns the ground, making the visitors confused choosing the fact from fiction.

Each day of the exhibition, enactment of ethnic dance by tribal, folk dance by Tribal Students fill the evening air. The visitor to the exhibition never feels bored even for a single moment. The permanent stage, situated on the ground, with its Granite Plated galleries for the audience, provides the platform to the cultural troupes and the visitor a place to witness the jovial life sequence of tribal people, which are best expressed in their dance sequences.

The exhibition has given shelter to stall, pitched by other departments related to tribal life and tribal development. Departments such as Agriculture, Soil Conservations, Fishery, Forest, Small Scale Industries, associated with various development intervention for tribal people participated put up stalls to show their operational strategies out of ongoing development concept.

To put it precisely, the adivasi exhibition, is a place for unwinding of the tribal and Non-tribal people at the beginning of the year. The Non-tribals come thronging to the exhibition ground to the exotic tribes and also to purchase utilitarian items from mela ground. Starting from handicraft goods to cooking masala from organic farming are procured from the exhibition.

During the year 2012, Adivasi Mela was organized for a period of 11 days from 26th January, 2012 to 5th February, 2012. The duration of the Mela was reduced from 15 days to 11 days due to PRI elections in the state. The theme of Adivasi Mela – 2012 was “Better Livelihoods: Happy Lives”. Hon’ble Chief Minister, Odisha had inaugurated the Mela on 26th January, 2012 at 6.00 P.M. As many as 156 stalls were set up in this fair. Every day visitors in thousand numbers from different parts of the country and abroad had visited this exhibition –cum-cultural fair. It is reported that nearly eight lakh visitors witnessd this Mela and there was a business transaction of more than Rs. 2.00 Crore. Different Departments / Heads of Departments/ Govt. Undertakings/ Corporation of State Govt. and Corporate Bodies in the private sectors had showcased their development as well as CSR activities mainly in 10 segments as detailed below;

The Segment :

Adivasi Haat – A common outlet for sale of indigenous tribal products of women SHGs of ITDAs & Micro Projects. In this segment, a tribal haat complex was erected with 36 “Pindies”, where women SHGs of ITDAs & Micro Projects were sold the indigenous tribal products.

Adivasi Gaon – In this segment 21 ITDAs and 8 Micro Projects had erected tribal representing distinctive tribal of house pattern with households, materials, cultural landmark arts and artifacts made of their respective tribes.

Adivasi Samagri – In this segment NGOs / SHGs/Other Govt. Agencies like Mahila Vikash Nigam, TRIPTI, TDCC, TRIFED, Tribes India, etc had set up their stalls to sell different kinds of tribal as well as forest products.

Government Stalls – In this segment different Deptts / Heads of Deptts/ Govt. Undertakings/ Corporation like I & PR Deptt. H & FW Deptt., W & C. D. Deptt., Directorate of Horticulture, Minor Irrigation Deptt., Tourism Deptt. India tourism, etc. had set up their stalls to show case their activities for socio-economic development of tribals.

Corporate Stall – In these segments different Corporate Houses under Govt. and Private sectors like OMC, TATA, ESSEL Mining, etc had setup their stalls to showcase their CSR activities.

Tribal Food Plaza – In order to provide an opportunity to the visitors to have a taste of traditional tribal foods a separate segment named “Tribal Food Plaza” was earmarked in the Mela. Tribal foods like Mudhi Mansa, Palua / Kangu, Khiri, Mandia Jau, Mandia Pitha, Herbal juice. Etc were very much appreciated by the visitors.

Tribal Art & Craft – This segment was earmarked for live demonstration –cum-sale of Tribal Art & Craft with an objective to provide marketing support to the tribal artists.

Tribal Textile & Handicrafts – This segment was provided for display –cum-Sale of tribal textiles, handlooms & handicrafts by the institutions like SERIFED, SILK BOARD etc.

Tribal Art Gallery – Tribal Art Gallery located adjacent to ATLC building was furnished with new look, where wide ranges of tribal paintings were displayed for the visitors.

Tribal Cultural Shows – Inthis segment there were Tribal / Folk Dance, Music & Drama in the main Pandal and continuous tribal music performance at mini stage. Colourful tribal dances like Ghumura,, Gond, Paraja, Oraon, Gadaba, Koya, Saunti, Kondh, Dongria Kondh, Desia Kondh, Bhumija, Mankirdia, Chuktia Bhunjia, Kathi Nacha, Gadaba etc. performed by the best tribal troupes of the state on different evening had enthralled thousands of the visitors. Besides, there was an exclusive Bhajan programme on 30th January, and social drama show. All these programme were sponsored by different ITDAs and corporate sector.

Valedictory Ceremony – Usually, His Excellency, the Governor of Odisha, attend the valedictory ceremony of Adivasi Mela as Chief Guest. In this function, His Excellency, the Governor of Odisha felicitated tribal talents on different field of activities and gave prizes to best three stalls erected by the ITDAs, Micro Projects and Govt. Deptts.

Showcasing the following broad sectors and activities;