4-day tribal conclave kicks off in Steel City today

Jamshedpur: Tata Steel will organize a four-day tribal conclave at Gopal Maidan on Sunday which will be attended by 1,500 delegates and 40 tribes from 19 states. Close to six new tribes from Karnataka, Gujarat, Meghalaya Sikkim and Andhra Pradesh are participating in the conclave for the first time. The second edition of Samvaad will focus on the theme of preservation, protection and promotion of tribal languages.
“Samvaad 2015 aims to provide a common platform to stimulate valuable exchange of issues surrounding the Indian tribal culture and heritage,” said Biren Bhuta, chief, CSR, Tata Steel on Saturday.
This year, Samvaad will host a panel discussion on contemporary topics of life, culture and prosperity of the tribal community in our country. Some of these topics include The threatened tribal languages, Tribal perspective on development, The resurgent tribal literature and Have we as a country failed our tribal communities.
“Informed guests such as Padma award recipients Tulasi Munda, Jadav Payeng and Ganesh Devy will take part in the conclave that will witness participation of intellectuals like Prof Virginius Xaxa, Dr Joseph Bara, Dr R Balasubramanium, Devendra Champia and several others,” said Biren Bhuta at Tribal Cultural Society of Tata Steel.
“This is a one-of-its-kind tribal conclave that will help in documenting and preserving a body of knowledge and formulate a world view on tribal culture and language which run the risk of being obliterated,” said Bhuta, the man behind the idea of Samvaad.
The event will showcase performances by King of the Naga Folk Blues, Guru Rewben Mashangva from Tangkhul Naga tribe, Hunting dance and song by Gujarat’s Siddi tribes, Warrior dances of Ao and Sumi tribes of Nagaland.
“This year’s showstopper will be the tribal fashion show in which tribals from across the country will walk the ramp displaying their traditional weaves and motifs, headgear and jewellery,” said Bhuta.
He said photo gallery and handicraft exhibition are also new addition to the second edition of the Samvaad.