An annual affair prone to hurting the sentiments of those communities it claims to represent: Live models have made a return at the ‘Adivasi Mela’ – Odisha

Debabrata Mohanty, indianexpress.com, Bhubaneswar, February 2, 2014

Live models have made a return, with an old Santhal tribal standing within his barricaded space playing the musical instrument kendara. | To read the full article, click here >>

Two years after the Orissa government drew flak for bringing in around 250 tribals to pose as live models during its annual Adivasi Mela, state officials have done one better — or worse. At the tribal fair this year that began on January 26, the Orams, a dominant tribe of Sundargarh, are represented by an effigy that can be mistaken for a scarecrow armed with a bow and arrow. And the stall dedicated to the aboriginal Bathudis is empty but for a couple of monkey models. […]

At the Munda stall, brothers Lelen Barla and Kisan Barla hung around a makeshift hut wearing a white dhoti and vest. “We don’t even live in these kinds of huts anymore,” smiled elder Lelen.  Sunaram Giri, a Paudi Bhuyan tribal from Khuntugan of Sundargarh district, stands listless in his stall. Counters of aborigine tribes such as Munda and Saura too have live models. The tribals said they were being paid Rs 150 a day apart from food, up from the 2012 remuneration of  Rs 100 each. […]

Activist Prafulla Samantra, who fought for the rights of Dongaria Kondh tribals in Kalahandi district, said: “It’s time we stopped the mela. The CM has only made the life of tribals miserable. Fairs of this sort denigrate them.”

Santhals and Orams are among the 62 tribal groups of Orissa, constituting around 22 per cent of the tribal population of 4.19 crore. […]

Source: Orams are ‘scarecrows’ as Orissa has an Adivasi Mela | The Indian Express
Address : http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/orams-are-scarecrows-as-orissa-has-an-adivasi-mela/
Date Visited: Tue Jul 22 2014 09:29:18 GMT+0200 (CEST)

Official tourism information provided by the Orissa Government

Odisha occupies an unique position in the ethnographic map of India for having the largest variety of tribal communities.Although they are found in all the districts of the State, yet more than half of their total strength are found in the districts of Koraput, Rayagada, Naurangpur, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Nauapara, Kandhamal, Baudh, Keonjhar, Sundargarh and Mayurbhanj.

The tribes of Odisha are at various stages of socio-economic development. At one extreme are the group which lead a relatively secluded and archaic mode of life keeping their core culture intact, while at the other extreme there are communities which are indistinguishable from the general agricultural communities. […]

The ceremonies and festivals of the tribes can be classified into two groups, that is, those that relate to the individual families and those that relate to the village as a whole. The ceremonies and rites relating to birth of a child, marriage, death are observed family-wise whereas those relating to various agricultural cycle, eating of new fruits, hunting, etc. are observed by the village community.

Some of the important festivals observed by the tribal communities of Odisha include Guar ceremony of the Saora, Gotar of the Gadaba, Push Punei of the Juang, Kedu of the Kondh, Karam festival of the Oraon, Chait Parab of the Bondo and Magha Parab of the Santal. […]

Source: Tribal Culture
Address : http://www.odishatourism.gov.in/portal/SpecialInterest/IndigenousCulture/TribalCulture.aspx
Date Visited: Tue Jul 22 2014 10:05:21 GMT+0200 (CEST)

Source: Tribal Culture
Address : http://www.odishatourism.gov.in/portal/SpecialInterest/IndigenousCulture/TribalCulture.aspx
Date Visited: Tue Jul 22 2014 10:04:17 GMT+0200 (CEST)

The Odisha State Level Annual Adivasi Exhibition, popularly known as Adivasi Mela, used to be organized for one week from January 26 every year in the Advasi Exhibition Ground at Bhubaneswar […]

This fair showcases the art and craft of the tribal communities. Forest products and tribal products, exhibited and sold here as well as cultural programmes presented by tribal communities, are special highlights of the fete. This is a rare occasion to have a glimpse of the unique tribal culture of Odisha in the urban city of Bhubaneswar. Local residents eagerly wait for this annual opportunity to buy their yearly needs while tourists throng to get an over all picture and feel of the tribal society. […]

Source: Adivasi Mela
Address : http://www.odishatourism.gov.in/portal/Festivals/FairsExhibitions/AdivasiMela.aspx
Date Visited: Tue Jul 22 2014 09:48:53 GMT+0200 (CEST)

Tourism is a major growth engine for economic development, creation of employment and eradication of poverty. It has a major role to play in promoting faster, sustainable and inclusive economic growth of the State. […]

India is fast emerging as an important tourism destination in the World. The ‘Incredible India Campaign’ has attracted worldwide attention.

Odisha, despite a strong cultural and religious heritage, varied natural attractions currently plays a comparatively small role in the World Tourism scene, although it has immense potential for tourism growth.

The development of tourism is generally measured in terms of tourist arrival to the State. In last five years the tourist arrival to the State is showing an increasing trend which is a result of aggressive publicity campaign undertaken by the State Tourism Department […]

Department of Tourism (DoT) envisages ensuring safe tourism through provision of dedicated police personnel at major tourist destinations, life-guards at beaches in coordination with local NGOs and SHGs. It shall be the endeavor of the Government to pre-empt and prevent abuse/ exploitation of women and children in and around tourist destinations. For ensuring the safety and security of tourists visiting the tourism destinations across Odisha, the Tourism Policy provides for the following measures. […]

The Government will also assist in promotion of private tourism projects in national and international level. For this purpose opportunities to participate in Road shows and Trade Fairs, link from government websites, partner ship for hosting events and activities etc. by designing suitable modalities would be provided. […]

Source: Microsoft Word – Odisha Tourism Policy 2013 _FINAL_ – OdishaTourismPolicy_16052013.pdf
Address : http://www.odishatourism.gov.in/portal/portals/0/pdf/OdishaTourismPolicy_16052013.pdf
Date Visited: Tue Jul 22 2014 09:53:25 GMT+0200 (CEST)

Welcome to Odisha ! !

Scenic, Serene, Sublime. Located on the eastern coast of India, Orissa is a unique combination of beautiful locations, exotic cultures and warm & friendly people. With a 400 kilometer long coastline, towering mountains, serene lakes and frolicking rivers, Orissa has something for everyone.

Source: Odisha Tourism > Home
Address : http://www.odishatourism.gov.in/portal/Home.aspx
Date Visited: Tue Jul 22 2014 10:01:16 GMT+0200 (CEST)

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