Locally brewed drinks sold at state tribal event

RANCHI: There have been socio-political demands for prohibition on sale of hadia (rice beer) in the past in the state, but for the first time, the favourite tribal intoxicant was sold openly during a government programme for five consecutive days in the name of tradition.
During the 'Octave fest', hosted by department of art culture and youth affairs, state government and organized by Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, a group of 10 youngsters from West and East Singhbhum put up this stall where rice beer was sold in earthen tumblers, at Rs 20 per glass, under the Jharkhand tribal cuisine stall.
"We sold Hadia like hot cakes. Every day, around 300 glasses were consumed by the locals as well as artists from north-eastern states," Lakhan Shinku, one of the stall owners, said.
For college-goers, this event was an opportunity to showcase their skills at a reputed and a large platform.
Speaking on the Hadia preparation, Shinku said, "A jadibuti (medicinal herb) tablet is mixed with boiled rice in a pot or bowl. It is then covered and kept for fermentation to brew the alcoholic properties for three days. Later, water is mixed to complete the preparation."
Hadia is usually not consumed alone and various local dishes is accompanied by both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. "Our list of menu included varieties like chicken-stuffed chapattis at Rs 40, latth (chicken wrapped in leave and roasted on fire) at Rs 80, chutney at Rs 20, along with an insect (Jemta) and flower sauce at Rs 10 per plate, with three pieces of gud pitha at Rs 10. All of these items are incomplete without Hadia in the Jharkhand tribal culture," said Hira Mardi, another member.
Among other food stalls, this tribal food and beverage attracted maximum customers.
Assistant commissioner of excise department Rakesh Kumar, who also observed was present in the fest, said, "Monitoring the sale of Hadia is not under the control of the excise department. Though we have instructed our subordinates to not allow commercialization of such liquor without license under any circumstances."
Art, culture, sports and youth affairs minister Amar Kumar Bauri supported the selling saying it a "common practice among the tribes of Jharkhand and north-eastern states to welcome guests with home-made liquor followed by their traditional dishes".
At the event, several food stalls representing the culture of the eastern states were displayed.
The fest concluded on Thursday in the presence of art and culture minister of state Amar Kumar Bauri among other bureaucrats.