Bhubaneswar, Dec. 27: The Adivasi Grounds here turned into a cauldron of creativity as the third edition of Sargi Fula, a state-level tribal children’s festival kicked off this morning.

Organised by the state ST and SC development department, the fest has attracted over 800 young boys and girls from remote areas.

They are taking part in an array of recreational and creative activities such as dance, theatre, paper crafts, clay modelling, creative writing, puppetry, magic, best of waste, photography, child reporting, painting and science exhibition. The three-day event aims at identifying hidden talents of the students and developing their personality by helping them indulge their hobbies and interests.

“I want to improve my writing skills so that I can fulfil my dream of becoming a journalist,” said 11-year-old Hari from Sundergarh, who is attending the creative writing workshop.

Experts from different fields have been roped in as resource persons.

Volunteers of the capital-based Bakul Foundation are conducting most of the activities. Among others, choreographer Ratnakar Reddy, a member of the famed Prince Dance Group, is teaching the participants to put their best foot forward, while teachers from the Institute of Applied Mathematics on the city outskirts are helping them get rid of the maths phobia.

“We want the kids to explore their creativity by letting them do things their way. They are talented and Sargi Fula is giving them a platform to showcase their creative side,” said Sujit Mohapatra of Bakul Foundation.

All the participants belong to ashram schools, sevashrams, residential sevashrams, SC/ST development department high schools and Ekalavya modern residential schools.

Deputy secretary of the host department, Rajashree Mohanty said the escort teachers would be exposed to the activities so that they can conduct the same in their respective schools.

ST and SC development minister Lal Bihari Himrika inaugurated the event today. Apart from SC development director S.K. Popli and ST development director A.B. Ota, representatives of Unicef-Odisha also attended the function.

After the workshops got over by noon, the children were taken out in groups to tourist destinations such as Nandankanan Zoo and state museum in the city as well as to Puri and Konark.

They returned by evening to perform in the cultural programmes. Day II would involve competitions and prizes will be given to the winners on the closing day.