BHUBANESWAR: The first edition of Parichay, a national level tribal exhibition, was inaugurated by Mayor Annanta Narayan Jena Friday at the exhibition ground in Bhubaneswar.
This exhibition which would continue for 10 days (from September 28 to October 8) is being organised by the Saa Parichaya Foundation Private Limited. The expo has 68 stalls, and is aimed at promoting tribal art, culture and lifestyle.
Avinash Sakti of Saa Parichay said, “We are offering organic tribal products like turmeric, Jhuna, honey, tribal medicines, tribal clothes, art works as well as food. The government tribal fair is more commercial, but here tribes from Jharkhand, Bihar, Assam, Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir and many other places have displayed products like home décor items, khorda pottery, lamps, dupattas from Banaras, Lakha bangles, bamboo bags, wind chimes, wall paintings and appliqué work among others.
Ashwini Iyer, a resident of Unit-6 said, “The other tribal fair is much bigger but this has open space where people can breathe fresh air while exploring. I have collected pottery as well as Patrapoda fish from Keonjhar, a delicacy which is selling like hot cakes.”
Gunjan Aparna, a homemaker and resident of Jatni had come to buy tribal art pieces for her new home.
More than tribal products it’s the food festival which has witnessed more footfalls. Later, a tribal dance by a Mayurbhanja dance group was presented. Live tribal tattoos were also showcased by some artisans.
Products like artificial plants for home decor attracted kids and adults alike. With a strong footfall of over 3,000, the tribal exhibition is slowly but surely attracting buyers with its colourful displays.