Bhubaneswar, Nov. 18: Those wanting to taste baunsa poda mansa (mutton cooked in bamboo shoots) a traditional tribal cuisine, have had to switch over to regular or western food at the eatery on the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Research and Training Institute's premises.
The food court, which had aimed to serve authentic tribal cuisines but failed to do so, had to be shut down primarily due to change in its menu. Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Limited inaugurated the eatery on the New Year's Day to promote lesser-known tribal dishes of the state by letting visitors have a taste of the same. It has, however, been lying closed for the past one month.
"The primary aim of the restaurant was to promote indigenous food items that are prepared by the tribal groups, but they were not able to live up to the expectations," said the institute's director A.B. Ota.
A self-help group based in Khurda used to run the restaurant. Initially, there were plans to serve a number of ethnic dishes such as ragi gruel better known as mandia jau and baunsa kadi sabji (bamboo shoots curry) among others. But, gradually the focus of the menu shifted to the western dishes. A number of Chinese items and general Odia food was also being served.
It had also been decided that the group would train 10 women on preparing ethnic cuisines, and they would dress themselves in tribal attire to draw the crowd. But, that idea could not be applied and a few men were working at the restaurant. "The customers were disappointed due to the change in menu. So, we thought that starting it in a proper manner again would be helpful," said Ota.
Now, plans are on to start the restaurant again from December 1. "We have contacted another special group, who will takeover the responsibility of managing the restaurant. They will be better trained to serve the authentic tribal cuisines," said Ota.
In a related development, the annual National Tribal Crafts Mela kicked-off today at the tribal museum. Over 81 tribal artisans from all 19 scheduled tribes across the country are displaying their artefacts at the fair. The authorities have set up a temporary food stall at the fair ground to serve tribal food items such as pitha and so on.
Besides, a number of craftsmen from various ethnic communities of the state are demonstrating the process of creating jewellery out of beads made by the Bonda community of Malkangiri district and the dongria kondh shawls.
Visitors can buy handicrafts made of paddy, bamboo, siali fibre and dokra art items, apart from paintings and cups and trays with tribal motifs inscribed on them. Artists have also gathered from states such as Assam, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
"I have come to Odisha to make people aware of the tribal crafts popular in my native place. Every tribal art has its own charm," said Bhil artist Sita Meda. The exhibition is on till November 24.
In yet another development, the special Particularly Tribal Vulnerable Group museum is being expanded where a number of unique products used by these tribal communalities would be displayed.
"We are constructing another floor in the building to accommodate more tribal items. The culture and lifestyle of these communities are very rich and we are trying to preserve the same," said Ota. The expanded floor will be inaugurated in two months.
