Three-day tribal dance festival from Monday

BHUBANESWAR: To provide a glimpse into the rich tribal arts and dance forms of various districts of the State, the State ST and SC Development Department will host a three-day tribal dance festival from Monday. Though there are 62 tribes and 13 PTGs in Odisha, the city denizens hardly know about their lifestyle. Thus, the dancers from various tribal belts across the State will portray their ways of living in dance forms.Being held for the second time, the festival last year featured dance performances from within the State, while this year it has attracted the participation of Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.Troupes representing 62 tribes inhabiting the State are slated to present their traditional dance and music during the evenings at Utkal Mandap here.The festival will be inaugurated by ST&SC Development Minister Lal Bihari Himirika.Government and non-government organisations, including Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) and special tribal development agencies will participate.While the inaugural day will see Gusadi dance performance by Gond tribals from Andhra Pradesh, Muria tribals from Chhattisgarh will perform on the last day.This apart, Santhal, Oraon, Kandha, Gadaba, Lanjia Saura, Mankidia and Jhodia Paroja tribals from within the State will take part during the three days. The dances will depict social entertainment and brotherhood among tribal communities.“Like the Adivasi fair which is organised every year, the department started the tribal dance festival last year to showcase tribal lifestyle. The festival along with the Adivasi fair has acquired a distinct dimension and considering its popularity, it will be held every year,” said an official of the department.CHILDREN’S SCIENCE FESTIVAL: The department will organise the State-level Children’s Science Festival, Sargi Fula-2011, later this month. The festival, which will also be observed for the second time on behalf of the department, would continue for three days.Hundreds of students staying in Government-run tribal hostels across the State will join the festival, sources said.