Tribal culture and traditions remind us of our centuries old cultural heritage. It is the need of the hour to protect, preserve and promote them. Aadi Mahotsav 2022 is a five-day cultural festival organized by Tribal Research and Training Institute (TRTI), Pune in Nashik from 27th to 31st May. The event is organised under the guidance of Dr. Rajendra Bharud, Commissioner, Tribal Research and Training Institute, Pune at Queen’s Garden with an aim to encourage the Tribal community, uplift their lives and to promote traditional art and culture of the state of Maharashtra.
The festival was held at the Golf Club Grounds and it featured Tribal handicraft exhibitions, tribal traditional dance competitions, and short film festival. Apart from this, the traditional foodstuff, Tribal ornaments, Warli paintings, ware work, bamboo work, wood carvings, metal work, pottery, herbal medicine and wooden pulp masks were the highlights of the festival.
The festival was inaugurated by Maharashtra Assembly Deputy Speaker Shri. Narhari Jhirwal in the presence of Shri. Hiralal Sonawane, Commissioner, TDD, Nashik; Shri.Vikas Mina – Project Officer, Integrated Tribal Development Office, Nashik; Shri.Sandeep Golait – Additional Tribal Commissioner Nashik Division Nashik; Shri.Hansdhwaj Sonawane – Deputy Director, Tribal Research and Training Institute, State of Maharashtra, Shri.Vijay Dagde – Cultural Officer, TRTI, Pune and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Over 100 Tribal handicrafts and over 500 dance artists will be participating at Aadi Mahotsav 2022, Nashik. Post all the Tribal groups’ performing different dance forms at the festival; Awards and honours will be given. Aadi Mahotav 2022, Nashik will also witness a short film festival which will comprise of documentaries on Tribals and their life and culture.
9-10 per cent of the state Is Tribal and it is imperative to take initiatives towards the conservation of Tribal Culture and customs and people in the cities need to be introduced to the same. Organising the dance competition and awarding the participants is one such initiative. And the Coffee table book titled “Aadi Sanskruti” being unveiled at the inaugural event will also create lot of awareness for Tribal culture and customs.
Dr.Rajendra Bharud – Commissioner, TRTI, Pune
