Similarly, exclusive stalls for display and sale of various handicrafts items made by the tribals have now become the centre of attraction in the biggest fair in the city.
"We know about the art, culture and life style of the tribal's communities. But we want to get a glimpse of their tradition from close quarters,"" said Subadhra Subudhi, a visitor.
Puja Sahua, another said, "Tribal products ranging from food items to jewellery and wooden crafts among others are available here and it is certainly a unique experience".
Moreover, one can get a glimpse of the lifestyle, mud houses and other tribal products at the fair. There is usually a demand for organic products of tribals and they are hopeful to do a brisk business this year.
“I am really happy to display our culture and tradition. People are keen to know more about our lives" said a tribal from Baripada.
The 15-day long annual Adivasi Mela (Tribal Fair) was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The fair will conclude on February 9.
"Through this Adivasi Mela, the common people can know about the lives of the tribals," said ST & SC Development Minister, Ramesh Majhi.
"We are happy to come here in this fair to display our way of life. Here, we are trying to show people our home and what we do in our daily life," informed Subarna Majhi, a tribal woman from Kalahandi who has come here to explain about tribal lifestyle.
From the vegetable gardens in their homes to their weapons and utensils, the residents of the capital city have a whole lot of things to see and admire about the primitive lifestyle. Stalls from various tribal dominated districts of Odisha are showcasing the rich tribal heritage of the state at the Adivasi Gram. Every hut has been made with finesse and intricate patterns.
"I am really happy coming here to display our culture and tradition. Visitors are showing interest to know more about our lives," said Srikantha Bisala, a tribal from Mayurbhanj.
"Tribals from Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar etc have brought their daily-use items to this fair. We are getting a chance to know more about them and various tribal art and culture of the state at one place," stated Soumya, a resident of Bhubaneswar.
This fair being organised by the ST and SC development department was inaugurated by CM Naveen Patnaik on 26 January. Apart from the 'Gram', 145 stalls with indigenous tribal products have come up at the Adivasi Haat.
Similarly, 37 exclusive stalls for display and sale of various handicraft items made by the tribals also have the potential to draw large number of visitors.
Not only these, the food court and Adivasi Cultural Show on the main stage have also been attracting people to the IDCO Exhibition Ground.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the annual Tribal Fair - Adivasi Mela that has been shifted to a new venue at Exhibition Ground for the first time in Bhubaneswar.
"Adivasi Mela is one of the most popular exhibitions of the State. This year it has been shifted to this ground and it will attract more visitors and will do better business," said Patnaik.
145 stalls showcasing indigenous tribal products of women SHGs of ITDAs & Micro Projects have come up at the Adivasi Haat this year.
Similarly, 37 exclusive stalls for display and sale of various handicrafts items made by the tribals are set to be the centre of attraction in the biggest fair in the city.
One can get a variety of natural products ranging from exotic spices to herbs, cereals, ayurvedic medicines, arts and crafts and household utilities at the fair.
"People eagerly wait for the Adivasi mela every year and this time also we hope that the business here will be good. The art and culture of the 62 tribal communities is being displayed at the fair," said ST & SC Development Minister, Ramesh Chandra Majhi.
“Usually, we do not get a chance to get a glimpse of the lifestyle of tribals from a close quarter. The fair certainly is unique as we get scope not only buy ethnic products but also get chance to know more about the communities," said Sabita Patnaik, a visitor.
The Adivasi Mela was earlier held at Adivasi Ground and this time has been shifted to IDCO Exhibition Ground owing to traffic congestion and parking issues.
The Commissionerate Police on the other hand issued advisory alerting commuters about congestion and imposed restrictions on traffic movements at several places leading to the venue of the Adivasi mela that will continue till February 9.
As per the advisory, people have been asked to avoid the direct route to the Housing Board chhak from Ram Mandir area.
During the 15-day-long state-level event, which will remain open for visitors from 4 pm to 10 pm; people who want to go to Housing Board chhak from the Janpath road, will have to take left from Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1 near Ram Mandir Chhak and take the road to Unit-9 to reach the State Secretariat. However, vehicles on emergency duties would be allowed to take the direct route, the advisory read.
If anyone found violating the guidelines, a fine of Rs 500-Rs 1000 will be levied, the advisory warned.
Earlier, the venue of the tribal fair was shifted to the Exhibition Ground owing to traffic congestion and parking issues.
Unlike the in-your-face, devil-may-care attitude of their counterparts in the rest of the country, however, girls belonging to this primitive tribe are yet to get over their inhibition. As soon as this correspondent attempted to take a snap of the girls taking selfies, they ran from the spot as if they had seen a wild animal in the forests and took position behind their sales counters.
The Dongria’s new-found love for the modern goes beyond their fascination for the smart phone tough. Instead of their traditional self-woven sarees with motifs like Santhal dances, harvest festivals and wedding processions of the Bonda and Dongria tribes, they have now developed a passion for zari, embroidery or threadwork sarees from the local haat (market), says Golak Sikaka, a group member who accompanied them from Khambesi village in Rayagada district.
The girls, however, are quick to dispel any notion that they have shunned their traditional attire. “We like to wear them only during festivals, not always,” clarifies Nisha Vadaka, clearly the smartest in the eight-member group, with a big smile on her face. The smile on her face gets broader as she shows a piece she has purchased for her sister from the ongoing Mela.
Nisha is emphatic that Dongria girls are still rooted in their tradition and use all ornaments that have become their distinctive mark. “We never forget to put on Notha (for nose) and Beti (hair clips), which is our tradition,” she says.
Asked if she likes the city, she replies in the negative. “Here all the roads are very wide and look alike which confuse us. There are huge buildings. I couldn’t even walk 100 metres and returned to my hut,” the Dongria girl says, disapproval of the city clear in her voice.
There are other tell-tale signs of modernity creeping into this primitive society too. While women in the so-called ‘civilised’ society are still fighting for their place, Dongria women have pride of place in certain areas of economic activity.
“They don’t allow male family members to sell forest produce and minor agricultural products in rural haats,” reveals Sikaka.
As per government sources, the Adivasi ground will remain open for the public from 11 am to 7 pm every day. Visitors will have to follow certain guidelines pertaining to Covid-19 while entering the ground. The norms include use of face mask, hand sanitisation and maintaining physical distancing, sources said.
Adequate security arrangements will be put in place to ensure compliance of the Covid guidelines.
The 15-day long fair will showcase the tribal lifestyle, practices, household equipment, culture and tradition.
The fair which was organised at the Exhibition ground for the last two years has been shifted to the Adivasi ground this year.
The fair witnesses different tribal communities showcasing their rural lifestyle, wide range of tribal articles including jewelleries, household articles and traditional food items
Organic products like cereals, pulses, spices, forest produce, utility items, handlooms and art and craft are in huge demand. The tribal delicacies available in the fair also act a big attraction for the foodies.
People from the city and nearby areas throng the ground to buy the organic items like Keonjhar Badi, Kandhamal turmeric, forest produces like honey, tamarind, lac and rosin are a big hit.
Similarly, mustard, cumin seed, cinnamon and variety of rice from tribal dominated districts available in the fair also attract the city residents.
Hit hard by Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, the tribal people are expected to get a good platform through the fair to sell and market their produces.