PESA Mahotsav in Visakhapatnam turns into melting pot of tribal culture, cuisine and sport

The Panchayats Extension to the Scheduled Areas PESA Mahotsav has emerged as a vibrant platform bringing together people from different States to celebrate and exchange their rich cultures, traditions, food habits, art forms, languages and lifestyles.

Participants from Telangana perform colourful Gussadi dance during the PESA Mahotsav at the Port Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit:
V. RAJU

The two-day festival saw the participation of hundreds of students, Self-Help Groups, athletes and folk artistes, who came together under one roof to showcase their talents, craftsmanship and sporting skills.

Participants from Madhya Pradesh perform colourful Thatiya Lok Nrity during the PESA Mahotsav at Port Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit:
V RAJU

A wide range of sports competitions, colourful cultural performances and numerous stalls offering traditional food delicacies and handicrafts added to the festive spirit. Participants, particularly members of tribal communities, said the event provided them with a valuable learning experience and a rare opportunity to interact with others, share knowledge and take pride in their heritage.

Participants from Odisha perform colourful dances during the PESA Mahotsav at Port Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit:
V. RAJU

Ms. Rooprashmi Sana, who travelled from Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh, set up a food stall offering traditional Himachal delicacies. Along with her team, she served millet jalebis, Chilta, Siddu, butter tea and millet momos. “The response has been overwhelming,” she said, adding that this was her first visit to South India and Andhra Pradesh. Impressed by the warm hospitality and event arrangements, she said she would love to return. She also shared that visiting the beach for the first time was a memorable experience.

Mr. Moti Ram Gawde from Gadchiroli in Maharashtra, representing the NGO Devrani Kala Gram, displayed his patented stone-brass fusion artwork, which received recognition in 2013. “Nearly 50% of the stock I brought has already been sold,” he said, expressing happiness over the response.

Food stalls from Jharkhand also drew large crowds. At the Kukdu Ku stall, Mr. Jitesh explained that their chicken delicacy is prepared using natural ingredients without oil and is fried using leaves.

Women from Adivasi Beti Tribal Collection of Alirajpur in Madhya Pradesh sold bamboo-based toys and handcrafted tribal products. Shawls and garments from Gujarat were in high demand, while Self-Help Groups from Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh offered millet-based and organic food items.

The event also featured sports competitions, with young athletes showcasing their skills. Mr. Tanzim from Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh, who participated in running events, said visiting South India was a great experience and appreciated the city’s cleanliness. Ms. Smriti, an archer from Jharkhand, said the event helped her make friends from different States and praised Vizag’s beaches.

The concluding cultural programmes received an enthusiastic response, with students performing group dances and youth actively sharing moments from the festival on social media.