A 12-member team of tribal women left for Puri on Friday with one quintal of the rice after offering the baskets at Jagannath Temple in Koraput, known as Sabari Shreekhetra.

“The Kalajeera Rice will be offered as bhog to the sibling deities. This is an initiative to encourage the farming of the black rice variety,” said Prabhakar Adhikari of Jaivik Sri Farmers Producer Company Limited, the farm that grows Kalajeera rice in Koraput.

The Kalajeera rice, which the tribals of Koraput have been growing for generations, will later also be used to cook the Prasad or Bhog offered at Lingaraj and Ananta Basudev temples in Bhubaneswar, sources said.

Kalajeera rice, also referred to as ‘Prince of Rice’, is an aromatic rice variety grown in Koraput district’s Tolla, Patraput, Pujariput, Baliguda and Mohuli areas. According to ancient text, Kalajeera rice improves memory and controls diabetes. It is believed to increase haemoglobin levels and the body metabolism. This fragrant grain has antispasmodic, stomachic, carminative, antibacterial, astringent and sedative properties.

Jaivik Sri Farmers Producer Company Limited of Pujariput had with the support of the Odisha government and National Bank For Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) applied for the registry of Koraput Kalajeera Rice on January 11, 2022. It was accorded GI tag by Chennai-based Geographical Indication Registry along with six other products, unique to Odisha, in January.

Seeds like ‘Chironji’, popularly known as Charoli nut, Almondette, Cuddapah almond, Calumpong or Hamilton mombin of the cashew family used in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha systems to boost memory among children and many herbal skin-care products and organic deodorants like lemongrass oil are attracting the crowds at the fair that has opened at the Adivasi Exhibition Ground near Sishu Bhawan Square in Unit I of the city.

Aditya Mohapatra, an IT professional was found carrying a bagful of traditional spices from the stalls managed by tribal shelf help groups (SHGs) from Kandhamal. “I love to come to this event every year with my mom. We take extra stuff to stock in our home and use it for several months. I am also happy that the tribal SHGs from interior pockets of the state are coming here to open their stalls for our convenience,” he said.

Carlota Maso from Spain, who is working at a city-based NGO for disaster management, Odisha State Volunteer and Social Workers Association, said, “I am from a foreign land. After coming here, I could gather an insight into the tribal culture, tradition and practices of the tribal communities and especially the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of Odisha. It’s a wonderful experience for me and my teammates.”

Kasturi Kadraka from Maa Thakurani SHG of JK Pur under Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Rayagada said they have been participating in the Adivasi Mela since 2018. The SHG collects pepper, cinnamon (dalchini), bay leaves, turmeric, many types of millets and other minor forest produce from the tribal communities on the nearby hills around Chatikana under Bisamkatak block.

Similarly, Gajabahini SHG’s “millet mixture” with its spicy content is also attracting buyers and the organisation from Tangarpalli block in Sundargarh district is hoping for a good business this time. While Om Sairam SHG from Baliguda is showcasing traditional spices and grains, Sarba Mangala SHG from Betnoti in Mayurbhanj is pulling the crowd for its quality herbal and skin-care products.

Several SHG groups from 22 ITDAs and 17 Micro Project Agencies (MPAs) for PVTGs are participating in the Mela this year. There are 66 stalls under the “Tribal Haat” to sell the organic products and 15 stalls under “Tribal Art and Craft” to do the business with the public.

GI PRODUCT AT ART & CRAFT STALLS

The Idital painting of Lanjia Saura from Rayagada district, which has received the GI tag, is also attracting visitors at the fair. “We are committed to putting our tribal products on the global platform. This time, Kapadaganda Dongaria Kondh embroidered shawl and Idital painting have made it. We will be adding more to the list in future,” said Secretary, SC, ST Development, Minorities, and Backward Classes Welfare Department, Roopa Roshan Sahoo.

Besides Idital painting, other tribal crafts include Dokra art from Baliguda, wooden work from Thuamul Rampur, Santhal handloom products from Kaptipada, paddy art from Nabarangpur, art and crafts from SCST Research and Training Institute, pottery from Nabarangpur, Mirgan handloom from Jeypore, Gond art from Keonjhar, bamboo and cane handicrafts from Sundargarh, Sabai craft from Sureidihi near Baripada in Mayurbhanj, Siali craft from Jashipur, lac art from Nilagiri, bamboo craft from Rairangpur and Stone carving from Karanjia in Mayurbhanj district. A live demonstration of lac bangle-making near the entrance to the “Tribal Art and Craft” enclosure is pulling large crowds.