Nearly 2,500 tribal representatives from 168 Indian tribes to gather at Gopal Maidan.
Key Points:
– Samvaad 2024 will feature 2,500 participants from 168 tribes across India.
– Unique tribal art, healing practices, and 100 traditional dishes to be showcased.
– Tata Steel Foundation’s initiative to highlight tribal identity and cultural heritage.
JAMSHEDPUR – From November 15 to 19, Samvaad 2024, a prominent annual tribal conclave, will return to Gopal Maidan in Jamshedpur, with nearly 2,500 participants representing 168 Indian tribes.
Opening on Dharti Aaba Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary, the event will start with a traditional nagada performance by 351 drummers from 32 tribes, paying homage to the revered tribal leader.
This year’s conclave promises diverse activities and showcases, including the introduction of 40 new tribal home cooks, 19 artisan stalls, and 99 first-time tribal healers.
These participants will bring forward distinct tribal art, craft, and healing practices.
Each evening, cultural performances by tribes like the Neigi, Hajong, Kokani, and Paraja, who are performing for the first time at Samvaad, will celebrate tribal traditions through dance and music.
Art, Healing, and Cuisine Displays
A significant feature of Samvaad 2024 is the vibrant showcase of tribal arts and crafts.
Forty-five stalls at Gopal Maidan will display works by 117 artisans from 28 tribes, highlighting traditional art transformed into practical items like home décor and apparel.
Meanwhile, 31 tribal healers will provide demonstrations of medicinal plants and healing practices.
An immersive culinary experience awaits visitors in the Aatithya Zone, where eight stalls will feature dishes made with medicinal plants, with 100 unique recipes from 30 tribes available daily.
Attendees can sample the dishes onsite or order selected items from the “menu of the day” on Zomato, while home cooks hold workshops on using traditional recipes for healthy, modern dining.
Music and Artistic Contributions
Samvaad 2024 will also introduce 30 original works, including literature, films, art, and music, created by tribal artists.
The event will witness the release of a new album by 75 tribal musicians from the Rhythms of the Earth cohort, in collaboration with Ladakh-based band Da Shugs.
Since its inception, Samvaad has engaged with 253 out of India’s 705 Scheduled Tribes, creating a forum for tribal expression and solidarity.
About Tata Steel Foundation
Tata Steel Foundation, a subsidiary of Tata Steel Limited, has spearheaded Samvaad’s journey.
Committed to community-driven development, the Foundation works in six Indian states, focusing on education, public health, and sustainable livelihoods, especially for tribal and marginalized communities.
Its programs reached 3 million lives in FY23 and continue to contribute to India’s sustainable development.
