Adivasi Mela With New Norms Attracts Huge Crowds
Adivasi Mela has always been one of the favourite fairs for the citizens of Bhubaneswar. Many people wait for this unique fair to stock up their pantry with desi spices and household products. Adivasi Mela 2021 kicked off on 26 January at the Adivasi Exhibition ground in Unit-1 area of Bhubaneswar and will go on till 9 February.
This annual fair that exhibits tribal artifacts, handicrafts, handloom, lifestyle, and forest products has been organized with adequate security arrangements to make sure that Covid guidelines are being followed. 90 stalls have been set up on the ground by different Self-Help Groups (SHGs). With the prevailing COVID-19 situation, the focus has been on promoting Odisha Adivasi Mela 2021 virtually with a comprehensive social media marketing plan while allowing people who can visit physically to celebrate the state’s tribal culture with proper crowd management.
The Adivasi Mela has been shifted to Adivasi Exhibition Ground after being conducted in the IDCO Exhibition Ground for the last two years. This year the feel and look of the fair are quite different because of the prevailing COVID-19 situation. Food stalls are prohibited at the ground this year, and the pattern of exhibition varies a lot with the missing traditional aspects and arrangements that become a part of the fair every year, except for some.
Kishan Mohanty, one of the visitors, said, ” I come to Adivasi Mela every year. This year the set up of the place is very different. Some things that are exhibited every year are missing. The traditions and the culture of the tribal communities were always exhibited in a very vivid manner. We get to see replicas of the houses of different tribes, how they store their belongings, and also how they cook and pray. This year the set up is beautiful, but yes, some things are missing.”
Following the Covid-19 protocols, the organizers have arranged for necessities to avoid the crowd, but the footfall keeps increasing every day. Even though this year the authorities have taken some steps to make sure that the event is present both physically and virtually for everyone, people definitely want to visit in person to enjoy the experience. The crowd is noticeable at the registration corner made available for the public.
The registration can be done online and on the spot as well. Even though the authorities are taking care of the number of people entering the ground, people are gathering in clusters outside. With Adivasi Mela being one of the most famous and awaited events of the year, one can understand people visiting the fair in large numbers every year. Certainly, one can agree that the people willing to visit the fair, can support the idea of it staying open to visitors for a little longer in the evening and post 9 February.
The Adivasi Mela is currently open from 11 am to 7 pm. One can register in advance for a smooth entry into the event.