National Tribal Festival ‘Vanaj’

The first National Tribal Festival ‘Vanaj’ concluded this month - February 2015 in New Delhi.
It was organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Key facts
 The aim of weeklong National Tribal Festival was to bridge the gaps of social divide and promote tribal culture in India.
 The purpose of the festival was to uplift the quality of tribal lives of the country in order to conserve and promote their distinctive cultures by providing them national platform.
 More than 900 folk and tribal artists from states like Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal participated in it.
 Maiden edition of the festival showcased the rich diversity of Tribal culture, art, painting, music, dance, tribal medicine, tribal food, and a special attraction- tribal cuisine.

Triumphant tribal

Folk dancers of Darua tribe of Odisha perform the Birli dance during the National Tribal Festival at Central Park, Connaught place. Photo: S. Subramanium

“Vanaj – National Tribal Festival” explains how different tribes have been able to preserve their culture and craft

To revitalise the intangible cultural heritage of tribal India, a six-day-long festival of music and dance forms titled “Vanaj – National Tribal Festival” opened at multiple venues in the Capital.

Famous for their social and hospitable nature, tribes in our country have been known for having strong community bonds. Little wonder then that each tribe clings on to its separate identity.

At one of the stalls, one craftsman proudly explains his rich culture by demonstrating the work process of pottery. He explains the innumerable hours it takes to mix different types of stones and clays to make one cup but understands the value of creativity when he looks at the alluring end product.

The festival is also screening documentaries which give a glimpse of the tribal life. The visitors will also get to enjoy the culture of different States through captivating dance performances.

The Census of India 2011 reveals that 750 scheduled tribes in India reside in distant and forested areas of hilly mountains, plains, deserts, coasts and even islands.

Despite a threat to their existence, these tribal have succeeded in preserving their culture. So, this exhibition envisions to tell an integrated story of humankind and treasured but slowly vanishing culture of tribal communities.

The 900-strong participants come from a number of States, including Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Odisha. These States are showcasing their form of precious handmade pottery, paintings, scarves, shawls, intricate pieces of their gods and goddesses diffused with their conglomeration of exotic tribal cuisines.

The exhibition is being held at the Central Park in Connuaght Place and already has a footfall of 500 people in one day.

The stalls consist of a plethora of handmade paintings showing lifestyles of different tribes, shawls and purses ranging from Rs. 200 to 1,500.

An added advantage of this festival – also being held at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts and on Baba Kharak Singh Marg – is that entry to all venues is free. So, treat your eyes and senses under the beautiful weather with this exalted experience

Keywords: Vanaj, National Tribal Festival