The sprawling ground is abuzz with excitement. The circular Gopal maidan is a kaleidoscope of colors, sounds, lights and energy, pulsating right in the heart of the city.
Salutations of ‘Johar’ ring through the air, as the word that means ‘Welcome’, warmly greets visitors from near and far.
The thronging crowds cannot seem to get enough of the action, as they hover around the umpteen stalls, undertaking the overwhelming task of choosing from innumerable options spanning myriad delights that range from art and crafts, regional dishes, traditional herbal medicines and much more.
Taking centre stage is the electrifying beat of tribal music that fills the air and intensifies the vibrant atmosphere, heightening the overall aura of festivity.
I am thrilled to be a part of Samvaad which is an annual tribal convention held in the city of Jamshedpur which lies in the East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, India.
This is my first ever visit to Jharkhand and obviously to Samvaad too and it is my utmost pleasure to witness the 10th edition of this yearly tribal festival which promises 5 glorious days of immersion into the various facets of tribalism encompassing music, art, cuisine, culture, folklore and the like.
While I am here to focus primarily on the cuisine, I must confess that I am unable to resist the temptation of revelling in all the other aspects of the festival and I marvel at the wonderful tapestry of the various elements of tribal living that have been so skillfully woven into a one stop display by the well curated event.