Tribal Festival 2020 - Adi Sapta Pallav

Adi Sapta Pallav - 2 days Tribal Festival on 3-4 October, 2020

Organiased jointly by EZCC and Pragya Cultural Centre (2020-2021)

Under aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India


    • Adi Sapta Pallav 2020


    Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre , Kolkata , Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Pragya Cultural Centre , Kolkata, West Bengal organised two days cultural programme “ Adi Sapta Pallav” on 3rd and 4th October, 2020 from 9 am to 4 pm on culture and heritage of tribals in Bengal as well as COVID 19 awareness at Pailen Football Playground , Pailen, Kheyadaha I, South 24 Parganas , West Bengal. This two days programme was conducted by strictly following COVID 19 directives of the Government.
    On 3rd October, the programme was formally inaugurated local Panchayat Pradhan Shri Gorachand Naskar in gracious presence of Smt. Gouri Basu , Director, EZCC, Kolkata and tribal representative Shri Binay Singh . The programme started with Karam Puja by tribals wherein they worshiped the Mother Nature . Smt Gouri Basu , Director , EZCC and Smt Jayasree Bhattacharyya , Director , Pragya Cultural Centre deliberated on the Theme of the Programme “ Adi Sapta Pallav” . Team leaders of seven tribal villages were received on Dias and they were formally honoured with Uttario and special badge made out of water hyacinth plants ( in Bengali called Kochuripana pana ) .
    Preliminary Round of Archery competition of indigenous people started thereafter. Total 28 archers ( 14 male and 14 female ) from seven tribal villages participated in the competition. This competition was judged by Shri Ranjan Dey, who was two times National and 3 times state champion. Six male and six female archers were selected for final round. The competition was conducted by Shri Sutanu Sinha , President , Pragya Cultural Centre. ,br> After , Archery preliminary round, Drama “ katha-karnabharam” and Corona awareness drama “ Corona o Amra ‘ were staged by the indigenous people. it was followed by group recitation by tribal children and and also Yoga.
    Shri Indrajit Basu , Additional Superintendent of Police, South 24 Parganas inaugurated an exhibition at the programme ground depicting various ethnic and indigenous goods, tools etc made and used the indigenous people. The programme reached a height when Shri Basu played flute and tribal artists accompanied with their Rythm instrument like madal etc and the girls started dancing in their colourful costumes. That was the end of first day programme.

    4th October , 2020 , the second day programme started in presence of Smt Gouri Basu , Directors and other representatives of EZCC, Representatives of Pragya Cultural Centre, team leaders and artists of seven tribal villages . Shri Soumitra Basu and Smt Sumita Basu,theatre personalities, Shri Anshuman Bhaumik , Researcher and Theatre Critic, Shri Saranya Shekar Pal, TV and Radio Artist graced the programme and they were distinguished member of jury to determine best performances. Smt Firdous Begam , MLA of Sonarpur, North and Shri Ranjan Baidya , Zilla Parishad member also graced the programme. Many representative of tribal organisations also graced the programme. Smt Mimi Chakraborty ,MP could not attend the programme but she sent wish message on the programme. Second day programme started with ritual ( puja) with Rythm and the tribal people started to dance forming a circle surrounding the centre. Team Leaders of the seven tribal villages were introduced before the dignitaries presented.
    The programme started with Adi Bir Bani ( tale of ancient hero ) - the artists of Hari Pota village under leadership of Kanta Sarder depicted the life and struggle of Birsha Munda , through Theatric presentation comprising Dance , songs and acting. Tribal rituals at the house of bride was then performed by artists of Panchsatapara village under able leadership of Shri Tapan Sardar .
    In next presentation, artists of Pailen North under leadership of Dipak Sardar , showed how Karam Puja is being performed. Tribal girls clad in red and white sari with hand made ornaments made the stage vibrant and colourful. Adi Chitrali started thereafter. This was Alpana competition by indigenous people on ethnic theme. Seven teams comprising 2 members each from 7 villages participated in the competition. Smt Firdous Begam , MLA formally started the competition . On the other side, final round of archery competition started with full vigour . At the end of competition, medals and certificates were given to all participants for their active participation. Juri members judged the alpana drawn on ground by seven teams using rice power . They also assessed foods of “ Adi Pak Saili “ - indigenous cooking by tribal people. There were seven teams from participant villages who cooked food using earthen oven and traditional ingredients. Programme get new Philip when artists of Boynala presented marriage at bridegroom’s house led by Shri Swapan Sardar. Their teamwork was remarkable This was followed by “Adi Bir Bani “ presentation on Hul Revolution by tribal artists of Tongpara-Bhanger Khal . This performance was led by Shri Gangapada Sardar. Artists of Chinemonpara under leadership of Chitta Sardar , presented Goria puja , where live cow was worshiped on stage. They mesmerised all. Pailen South village under Sukomol Mahato’s direction presented Tusu puja on stage .
    After , group presentations by seven villages, Adi Mridangam Ranga started. In sync with Rythm of madal and other instruments , there was fashion parade on tribal costume and ornaments by seven villages and it was followed by team leaders on stage too in their ethnic dresses. Jury also tested the food prepared by participants of Adi Pak Saili.
    At the end , distinguished guests expressed their feeling about the two days programme . Smt Basu of EZCC wished to have similar programme annually. Jury declared following awards :
    Shrestha Birdhara
    Shrestha
    Shrestha poshak porikolpona
    Vishesh Juri Puroskar
    Shrestha gram
    Shrestha volunteer- girls
    Shrestha volunteer- boys
    It was declared the all participants of cooking will be awarded.
    Concluding programme ended with handing over trophies, mementos, medals , certificates etc and vote of thanks.
    Beats of Madal declares closing of Adi Sapta Pallav 2020 and all started to dance in the back drop of sunset.
    More than 150 tribal artists from seven villages participated in Adi Sapta Pallav 2020.

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