- TRIFED’s flagship national tribal festival transforms Ahmedabad Haat into a vibrant celebration of indigenous entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, cuisine and cultural heritage
- More than 100 stalls from across India showcase authentic tribal textiles, paintings, forest produce, handicrafts and traditional delicacies under the ‘Tribes India’ banner
- Ten-day festival highlights the economic empowerment of tribal artisans while preserving centuries-old traditions through sustainable livelihoods and fair trade
- Organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED, Aadi Mahotsav offers visitors an immersive journey into India’s extraordinary indigenous civilisation from June 29 to July 8
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, JUNE 28
Ahmedabad is all set to witness a spectacular celebration of India’s indigenous heritage as Aadi Mahotsav – The National Tribal Festival opens at Ahmedabad Haat, Vastrapur, on June 29, transforming the venue into a living showcase of the country’s vibrant tribal traditions, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, cuisine and cultural diversity.
Organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, through the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd. (TRIFED), the ten-day festival seeks to connect tribal artisans directly with consumers while celebrating the timeless wisdom, creativity and sustainable lifestyles of India’s indigenous communities.
Inviting citizens to experience the unique cultural extravaganza, M. Rajamurugan, IPS, Managing Director, TRIFED, extended an open invitation to families, art lovers, students, entrepreneurs and visitors to participate in the festival from June 29 to July 8.
“Aadi Mahotsav is a harmonious confluence of tribal entrepreneurship, artistry, culture, cuisine and trade, offering visitors an unforgettable journey into India’s rich indigenous heritage,” he said.
The festival will feature more than 100 stalls representing tribal communities from across the country, creating what organisers describe as a ‘Mini India under one roof’ through the Tribes India platform.
Visitors will have an opportunity to explore an extraordinary collection of authentic tribal products, including Pashmina shawls and woollens from Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand; handcrafted wooden artefacts from Uttar Pradesh; Assam silk sarees; Manipur’s black pottery; Uttarakhand’s grass jewellery; Odisha’s Saora paintings; Maheshwari and Chanderi silk sarees from Madhya Pradesh; metal sculptures from Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh; forest produce such as honey, cashew and spices from Andhra Pradesh and Kerala; Maharashtra’s iconic Warli paintings; Gujarat’s bamboo furniture and colourful handicrafts; and Rajasthan’s exquisite Meenakari work, textiles and paintings.
Adding flavour to the cultural experience, dedicated food courts will offer visitors a rare opportunity to savour authentic tribal cuisines prepared using traditional recipes and indigenous ingredients from different regions of India.
The festival will also come alive every evening with vibrant tribal folk dances, music and cultural performances scheduled from 6 pm to 8 pm, celebrating India’s living traditions through colourful artistic expressions.
Beyond being a marketplace, Aadi Mahotsav serves as an important platform for economic empowerment, enabling tribal artisans, weavers, forest produce collectors and craftsmen to access wider markets while ensuring fair returns for their traditional skills.
TRIFED, functioning under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has played a pioneering role in promoting tribal livelihoods, preserving indigenous knowledge systems and strengthening sustainable rural economies through marketing support, value addition and capacity building.
The festival reflects the Government of India’s continued commitment to preserving the country’s rich tribal legacy while creating new economic opportunities for indigenous communities through entrepreneurship, innovation and cultural promotion.
Organisers have invited the people of Ahmedabad and neighbouring regions to visit the Mahotsav with their families and experience first-hand the remarkable diversity, craftsmanship and cultural richness that define India’s tribal civilisation.
