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Playing host: Central University of Jharkhand campus in Ranchi
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It will be a mammoth congregation of 42 tribal groups from 16 states and Bhutan in Ranchi from November 8 to 10. The occasion is Central University of Jharkhand’s (CUJ) three-day tribal festival, Akhra.
Akhra, which originally stands for an open space where tribal community programmes are held, will see a host of events starting from seminars to cultural shows highlighting the rich tribal heritage of places like Leh & Ladakh, the Northeast and of course, the south. There will also be the usual fare of fashion shows showcasing modern dresses with traditional designs, book exhibitions and food festivals.
“Over 700 participants are expected to attend the three-day festival. Neighbouring country Bhutan has confirmed its participation,” CUJ vice chancellor D.T. Khathing said.
The topics of the seminar include “Indigenous people in the age of corporate social responsibility,” “Hundred years of Indian ethnography: revisiting the Mundas and their country,” and “Environmental philosophy and indigenous people’s perspective”.
B.D. Sharma, president of Bharat Jan Andolan and former IAS officer who had served in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh; E. Toppo of Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai; professor Vijay Sahay, head of anthropology of University of Allahabad; and Santanu Banerjee, tribal activist and assistant professor of Burdwan University among others are expected to be present as moderators/panelists of different sessions.
The food festival will dish out local cuisine of the hinterland of Jharkhand, Kerala, Leh-Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan et al while the tribal art and craft exhibition will display Gond paintings of Madhya Pradesh, tribal musical instruments of Odisha, craft and textiles from Bhutan etc.
“The entire event will be co-ordinated by the university’s centre for cultural studies,” Khathing added.
If the morning programmes will focus on serious subjects, the evenings have been set aside for entertainment. The indoor and outdoor activities will be theme-based presentations from local hero Nandlal Nayak, Guru Rewben Mashangva (king of Naga Folk Blues)-Manipur, Durga Prasad Murmu (Santali songs) and others.
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