Women make handicrafts by sewing paddy seeds at the National Tribal Crafts Mela in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 19: From Narendra Modi to APJ Abdul Kalam, Mansingh Dhanjibhai of Gujarat has sold his collections of Pithora paintings to a number of prominent personalities across the country.

Dhanjibhai, a veteran painter, who belongs to the Rathwa tribal group has been involved with the Pithora for the past 40 years, has come to the city to take part in the National Tribal Crafts Mela.

Over 80 tribal artisans from all over the country are displaying their artefacts at the mela that today began at the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Research and Training Institute in the city.

Various types of ethnic crafts made of paddy, bamboo, dokra (non-ferrous metal casting), along with tribal jewellery, paintings, cane and bamboo products are on display.

“My paintings were originally made on the main walls of our homes to appease the gods, because we believe that they have supernatural powers. Nowadays, the Pithora art, being used in wall paintings and fabrics, have become quite popular,” said Dhanjibhai. Bold and vibrant, the paintings were quite catchy.

Organised by the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya in Bhopal and the institute, the exhibition aims to provide a platform to the tribal artisans for a direct interface with the urban masses.

Figures of animals, birds, puppets, vases made of paper mache were on display at the stall set up by the Oroans, a tribal group from Chhattisgarh. Dressed in their tribal attire, along with headgears made of heron feathers, two women sitting at the kiosk grabbed all the attention.

Known for their long-lasting tradition of tattoo art, the women from the Baiga tribe displayed intricate tattoo designs as well. “Tattooing among women of our tribe begins at the age of seven with a design on the head. By the time a Baiga girl is 16 years of age, most of her body is decked with tattoos. There is a particular design for each part of the body,” said Anandi Bai, a tattoo artist belonging to the tribe.

Artisans from the Kom and Maring tribes of Manipur displayed their weaves, while the Deori and Mishing tribes showcased their traditional red and white attires. A few tribal communities of Odisha such as Lanjia Saura, Gond, Bhottada, Lodha, Juang, Santhal, Bathudi, Mankiridia, Dongria and Kandha have displayed their works in the fair as well. Paddy craft, bamboo craft, comb making, lacquer craft, Siali fibre craft and Dokra art have many takers. The fair ends on November 27.