Song, dance, art and celebration dazzled Ranchi as the Jharkhand Adivasi Mahotsav kicked off at Bhagwan Birsa Munda Smriti Udyan today, timed to coincide with the International Day of World’s Indigenous People. The festival was inaugurated by former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, in the presence of his son and current CM Hemant Soren.
The two-day festival celebrates the traditions, lifestyle, art and culture of the Adivasis in a state dominated by the tribal community, with enthralling performances by tribal groups from several states, including folk dance, and musical events.
A tribute was paid to the departed souls killed in the three-month-long clashes in Manipur ahead of the inauguration. The lighting of the lamp followed to commence the festival.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony today, CM Soren expressed his pride for organising the Mahotsav and gave a clarion call to the country’s tribals to be united in their fight for existence and said that destructive forces and religious fanatics were out to oppress them and control their resources.
"Today, on the occasion of World Tribal Day, I appeal to more than 13 crore tribal brothers and sisters of the country to fight unitedly and move forward. Gond, Munda, Bhil, Kuki, Meena, Santhal, Asur, Oraon, Chero - all have to think unitedly,” he told the gathering.
"There should be talks to fight the forces that are all out to control their natural resources, identity and culture"
The festival was organised for the first time in 2022 but this year, the scale of the event has been magnified with scholars and celebrities from across the country attending the event and participating in seminars.
Jharkhand is home to 32 tribes and more than one-fourth of its population consists of Adivasis, including Munda, Santhal, Asur, Baiga, Chero, Kora and Korwa. With indigenous people being a crucial constituent of the Jharkhand society and populace, the discussion is expected to offer insights into the life of tribals, their importance in the social strata and the need to preserve the lifestyle of the Adivasis.
The son of legendary Adivasi leader Shibu Soren, Hemant Soren throughout his career has contributed to the Adivasi causes. Starting from the Jharkhand statehood movement to the fight for Adivasi rights, he has been at the forefront.
The festival concludes tomorrow evening but not before Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren sits for an engrossing chat with Outlook India Editor Chinki Sinha on the topic 'Indigeneity - A Way of Life'. Outlook India has been extensively following the politics of indigeneity for years.
The festival will come to an end with a spectacular drone, laser and fire VFX show.
