INTACH hosted the Jharkhand Mahotsav in Collaboration with the Jharkhand Department of Tourism, the Kalamandir, Jamshedpur; and Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. Jharkhand is particularly renowned for its rich cultural traditions and tribal festivals, music, dance, crafts, etc. The Mahotsav was an attempt to promote Jharkhand’s many splendored folk traditions and generate interest in the beauty of its cultural diversity.
The Jharkhand Mahotsav was inaugurated on 23rd February at the Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre with a performance of a Tribal Music Conference, and recital of Manbhum Chhau and Seraikela Chhau. The following two days the venue shifted to INTACH Central Office on 24th–26th February. Workshops on the craft of mask making, on Sarfa and Seraikela Chhau dance, and on Pytkar and Sohrai painting were held. Other programmes included screening of films on craft and tourism. At the conclusion of both days ‘programmes, there were recitals of Sarfa dance, Firkaal (of the Bhumij Tribe), Paika dance (of the Munda Tribe) and Seraikela Chhau performed by renowned artists in the evenings.