India’s Tribal Craftsmanship at G20 Summit

India’s Tribal Craftsmanship at G20 Summit

News: The recent 18th G20 Summit witnessed a captivating display of India's rich tribal heritage and craftsmanship, curated and presented by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India(TRIFED), Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
 

Which artifacts and products were displayed?

Sulur Bamboo wind flute
• It is a unique musical creation curated by the Gond Tribe of Bastar in Chhattisgarh.
• The 'Sulur' serves utilitarian purposes, helping tribal men ward off animals and guide cattle through jungles.

Gond Paintings
• Gond paintings reflect their deep connection to nature and tradition.They start with dots, calculating image volume, which they then connect to form outer shapes filled with vibrant colours.
• These artworks are deeply influenced by their social environment and they stand as a testament to the tribe's artistic ingenuity.

Wall Hangings of Gujarat
• Curated by the Bhil & Patelia Tribe in Dahod, Gujarat, these wall hangings are rooted in ancient Gujarat art. Initially, the hangings were dolls and cradle birds made of cotton cloth and recycled materials.
• The hangings now include mirror work, zari, stones, and beads, blending tradition with contemporary fashion.

Ambabari Metalwork
• Ambabari metalwork is a form of traditional Indian handicraft that originates from Rajasthan. The term “Ambabari” is often used to refer to decorative elephant statues crafted in this style. These statues are handcrafted, often by the Meena Tribes of Jaipur, and are painted and shaped by master craftsmen

Meenakari Craft
• Meenakari Craft is an age-old Indian art form of enamelling metal surfaces with vibrant colours, patterns, and designs.
• Meenakari is primarily associated with the state of Rajasthan in India, where the craft has been passed down through generations of artisans. Jaipur is famous for its Meenakari jewellery, which is exported all over the world.

Longpi Pottery
• Longpi pottery, also known as Nungbi pottery, is a traditional craft practiced in the district of Ukhrul, Manipur in Northeast India.
• It is made using a mixture of two materials, leshong lung (black serpentine stone) and leshon or salla nali (weathered reddish-brown rock), which are found in abundance in the area.
• The pottery is made without using the potter’s wheel and is traditionally a domain of the men of the Tangkhul Naga community, although women are not prohibited from practicing it.

Sheep Wool Stoles
• Crafted by the Bodh, Bhutia, and Gujjar Bakarwal tribes from Himachal Pradesh/Jammu & Kashmir. They use pure sheep wool to make various clothing, including jackets, shawls, and stoles.

About TRIFED:
• The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) is a national level cooperative body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. It was established in 1987 under the Multi-state Co-operative Societies Act, 1984.
• TRIFED’s main objective is to institutionalize the trade of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) and Surplus Agricultural Produce (SAP) collected or cultivated by the tribal communities of India.
• It also launched the Van Dhan Yojna in 2018, which aimed to set up 30,000 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras in the country for skill upgradation and capacity building of tribal gatherers.