Tribals from different parts of Jharkhand perform Dhogar at Gopal Maidan on Sunday. Picture by Bhola Prasad

See it to believe it. The four-day tribal conclave organised by Tata Steel to mark Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary and Statehood Day on November 15, is a visual feast of indigenous craftsmanship.

The event Samvaad has its fair share of scholarly meets on tribal issues, but some 25 handicraft kiosks displaying tribal accomplishments from across the country are drawing raves at Gopal Maidan.

The landmark grounds are playing host to a seldom seen mini India with craftspersons from Ladakh, Bastar, Guwahati, Thane as well as Jharkhand’s various places.

Admiring crowds are watching Ladakh craftspersons make the thangka or cloth paintings depicting the Buddha. Nearby, warli artistes from Thane, Maharashtra, are heard telling visitors how these paintings are important in tribal wedding ceremonies.

“Thangka is usually done on silk but these days we do it in other fabrics also. We use natural colours, which is the tradition. We collect different types of clay colours to paint the chosen cloth that is fixed on a panel. Thangka was used as teaching tools for monks,” said Konchak Thinlas, a thangka artiste, in town with traditional wood sculptors Konchok Paldan and Rizin Gizmet.

Bhils from Bhopal displayed pithora paintings featuring villages, animals and plants. “Our art is rich in colours, vibrant, just like us,” beamed Gangu Bai, a Pithora artist. “A large wall hanging of Pithora painting can cost up to Rs 5,000,” she said.

Meenakshi Vadeya, a Warli artist from Thane, said: “We don’t go to schools. We learn how to paint from family elders, naturally. Before weddings, we paint the chowk, a square with the Kuldevi in the middle. The devi bestows prosperity on the groom and the bride.”

Jharkhand showcased eye-catching dokra and terracotta items in its stalls.

Folk dances — Dhogar and Munda from Jharkhand and Bagurumba from Assam — were also performed on Day Two of Samvaad.