Artisans work on traditional saris at adivasi mela in bhubaneswar. picture by ashwinee patinamita panda

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 30: Visitors to the Adivasi Mela are feasting their eyes on a wide range of Orissa’s tribal art and craft that has a wide appeal all over the country and abroad.

Rich and diverse designs and colourful patterns are finding many takers at the fair.

Two major segments of the tribal fair have been dedicated to tribal art and craft. The Tribal Art Gallery is an interesting effort by young artists to portray tribal lifestyles and issues through contemporary art. A number of framed works and wall paintings by tribal artists portray various interesting themes.

“We have presented Gond art that is created during festive times and occasions of worship,” said Purandhar Naik, a Gond artist. “Art is a part of our lifestyle. It is considered auspicious, and there are particular patterns for different occasions.”

Other than the art works that are on display and can be bought as well, another section at the fair is devoted to crafts of different kinds, such as sculptures of wood and stone, articles made of grains and thread, tassar handloom, black metal crafts and dokra crafts and jewellery.

Organisers have also arranged for a live demonstration of some of the crafts.

From the intricate process of weaving tassar fabric by women of Nabarangpur to the weaving of attractive patterns on Kondh shawls, visitors can see for themselves how the crafts are made. “I have been visiting this fair every year since the 1990s. Be it bena grass mats or cane crafts, every tribal craft serves a practical purpose,” said Chittaranjan Das, a visitor. “Sadly, while peoples such as the aborigines of Australia have got world recognition for their art, the paintings and crafts of Kondhs and Kolhas have not been showcased on the world stage,” he added.

Several stone, wood and metal crafts include showpieces, accessories for the kitchen and wall hangings. “Root crafts are very popular outside the state. Here too, such crafts have a wide following,” said a craftsman who has created some impressive works out of roots.

“The growing demand for tribal arts and crafts made us create separate segments for them,” said officer-in-charge of the Adivasi Mela, Jyoti Ranjan Mohapatra. The fair is on at the Adivasi Exhibition Ground till February 9.