A traditional dance in progress at the Tusu Mela in Gopal Maidan. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Jan. 21: The participation at the annual Tusu mela organised at Gopal Maidan has grown by leaps and bounds.

“This mela was started two years ago with the aim to bring the traditional tribal culture and tribal artisans to the limelight. Going by the number of participants we had today, we can say that we have achieved what we decided to do,” said JMM leader and chief organiser of the fair Astik Mahto. Organised by Jharkhand Ekta Manch, the footfall crossed over 500 this year.

The former Jamshedpur MP, Sunil Mahto, started this mela to promote tribal culture. The annual Tusu mela turned out to be a jamboree of tribal artistes and performers not only from Jharkhand but also from neighbouring states like Orissa and Bengal.

People started flocking in groups from the morning carrying their Tusu idols and the choudal.

While one side of the field was lined up with a dozen-odd giant Tusu idols, it were the towering choudals that adorned the other side of the field. Made out of hay and bamboo sticks, the choudal is an elongated structure like a temple with figures of tribal deities on it. The two main choudals brought today were, however, 70ft and 80ft, respectively.

“It takes us about two months to make the entire structure of choudal. The tribal population consider the choudal as an auspicious thing,” said Gurupada Mahto, owner of Jan Kalyan Samiti from Chandil who was at the fair with a group of 100 tribal performers.

People from different places came to the Tusu mela in large numbers. “Ours group comprises 40 Chhau dancers, over 30 drummers and many more performers,” said Mohan Mahto, the secretary of a group.

One of the major attractions of this group was a huge traditional drum, which needs at least six people to play it.

“Traditionally, groups of artistes and performers from rural areas visit different Tusu melas and participate in competitions for the best idol or best decorated choudals,” said Sudhir Mahto, a member of the group from Chandil.

At the Tusu mela today, the prizes for the Tusu idols went to New Students Club and a group from Bahalda. In the category for the best choudal structure, Jan Kalyan Samiti bagged the first position for making a choudal almost 80ft in height.

A group from Urmal, near Chowka in Seraikela-Kharsawan, was given the secondprize for making 70ft choudal.