Lok Sabha Question No. 1070 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-17
Subject: Tribal Festival Aadi Mahotsav
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, P.R. SUNDARAM, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE

1070:

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS) LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1070 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2018

## TRIBAL FESTIVAL AADI MAHOTSAV

Dr. Heena Vijaykumar Gavit: Shri Satav Rajeev: Shri Dhananjay Mahadik: Shri P.R. Sundaram: Shri Mohite Patil Vijaysinh Shankarrao: Dr. J. Jayavardhan: Shrimati Supriya Sule;

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has organized Aadi Mahotsav tribal festival;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with aims and objectives thereto;
- (c) the main theme of the event;
- (d) the number of tribal artisans and artists from different States participated in the festival;
- (e) the financial benefits that the tribal artist got out of this festival; and
- (f)  whether  the  Government  has  organized  similar  event  in  the  past  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with achievement achieved in organizing such festival?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS ( SHRI JASWANTSINH BHABHOR )

(a) to (e): Yes Madam. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has been organizing the National Tribal Festival called  'Aadi  Mahotsav'  in  collaboration  with  Tribal  Cooperative  Marketing  Development  Federation  of  India (TRIFED) to showcase Tribal Craft, Culture, Cuisine and Commerce in a holistic manner. The 15 day long festival usually held in the month of November comprises of display and sale of tribal art & craft, tribal medicine & healing practices, tribal craft demonstrations, tribal cuisine and folk performances.

During the year 2018, this event was held in New Delhi from November 16 - 30. More than 430 tribal artisans and artists from around 20 States participated in the festival and displayed/sold their wares through 159 stalls set up at Dilli Haat for the purpose. A direct sale of Rs.305 Lakhs was made during the fortnight. Besides, TRIFED also placed purchase orders to the tune of Rs.12.80 crores in favour of the artisans/suppliers for sourcing of their products. Besides, 76 tribal chefs from different States also presented various tribal culinary delicacies.

Another added attraction was presence of 14 dance troupes comprising of more than 200 artists who presented exquisite tribal folk performances in the evenings. Acclaimed cultural troupes have presented well known folk dance forms like Siddhi Dhamal from Gujarat, Chau folk dance from Jharkhand, Manipuri tribal dances, dance troupe from Leh  and  Ladakh,  Rajasthan  Folk  singers.  The  cultural  programmes  were  organized  with  active  support  of  the NCZCC, Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

Besides the national tribal festival in the capital, similar events were also organized from 12-21 October, 2018 at Indore, 20 October-3 November, 2018 at Ahmedabad and from 27 October-5 November, 2018 at Hyderabad. During these 3 festivals at Indore, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad, around 438 artisans have participated and realized a direct sale of Rs.425 lakhs.

(f): Similar events were also held at New Delhi and 5 other places at Jaipur, Bhopal, Ranchi, Chandigarh and Guwahati in the last financial year. In these events, a total business of Rs. 500 Lakhs was transacted by tribal artisans comprising of direct sale of Rs.442 Lakhs made by tribal artisans and Rs.60 Lakhs  worth inventory sourced by TRIFED.  The  Festival  showed  exquisite  craftsmanship  of  tribal  artisans.  This  included  beautiful  sarees,  dress materials, jewelry, bamboo & cane products, paintings and hundreds of other items. Almost 800 Artisans and Artists from 27 States participated in the Mahotsav and sold their products and displayed their crafts and skill through more than 200 stalls that was set up for them. Stage programs of tribal dances and folk songs conducted daily were a great attraction every evening. 85 Tribal Chefs from 25 states showcased tribal delicacies.