Aadishilp - National Tribal Craft Expo 2008

An exhibition showcasing the fascinating colours and treasures of Tribal India has been organized by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) from October 2nd to October 13th, 2008 at St. Joseph's High School Ground (Webbs Ground), MG Road. TRIFED has been functioning since 1 987 as a national-level apex organization functioning under the administrative control of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India, with the main objective of marketing development of tribal products. The exhibition will showcase some excellent tribal craft from all over the country.


The main objective of TRIFED is marketing development of tribal products for which it has initiated a number of marketing development efforts & Aadishilp- National Tribal Craft Expo, is one such example.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has taken this initiative in Bangalore for the first time. Every year, this event is being held successfully in New Delhi, the capital of India but with the initiative of promoting it throughout India, TRIFED is organizing AADISHILP this time in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur and New Delhi.
The idea behind organizing such Expo is to provide a platform for tribal artisans to showcase their nch and ethnic art and craft. Tribal artisans from all over the country brings their beautiful creations in Metal, Terracotta, Textile, Bamboo, Jewellery, Forest products etc. This Expo is an effort not only to promote the tribal products but also to provide opportunities to tribal artisans to interact with the discerning urban customers to understand their preferences, tastes etc and adapt their products accordingly.
The exhibition was inaugurated on Oct 2, 2008 by Shri. P R Kyndiah, Minister of Tribal Affairs, Sri Bachegowda, Minster for Labor, and Shri. Rameshwar Oraon, Minister of State-Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Addressing a press meet, the Managing Director of TRIFED- Mr. Avani VaJsh, IAS, said, "Artisans from all the predominantly tribal States have participated in this Expo. In addition to tribal art and crafts, the expo is a holistic representation of tribal culture and heritage in all its vibrancy and colour.. There are 50 stalls exhibiting different tribal products. Few of the stalls are dedicated to the Tribal demonstration of paintings, mehendi painting, magic etc.. It not only showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of tribals but also offers people an opportunity to savour variety of dishes and enjoy their tribal music and folk dance (naga dance, bihu dance, Oraon dance, karkattam dance and other tribal dances from different states) each day arranged by Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India".

About TRIFEP: Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) has been functioning since 1987 as a national-level apex organization functioning under the administrative control of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India. TRIFED has a network of its member federations and 14 offices all over India with its headquarters in New Delhi. The Federation is expected to act as a service provider to its member societies.

The main object of TRIFED shall be to serve the interests of its members in more than one State for the social and economic betterment of its members by conducting its affairs in professional, democratic and autonomous manner through self help and mutual cooperation for undertaking marketing development of the tribal products.

The ultimate objective of TRIFED is socio-economic development of tribal people in the country by way of marketing development of the tribal products on which the lives of tribals depends heavily as they spend most of their time and derive major portion of their income.

TRIFED has taken a number of initiatives to promote tribal products. From a single sales outlet of TRIBES India in 1999 at Delhi now TRIFED has established 35 outlets of its own across India out of which 22 are its own and 13 outlets have been started on consignment basis in association with the State Level Organizations. In addition, TRIFED promotes tribal products by participating and organizing a number of exhibitions at various places. TRIFED has also initiated a new concept of organizing Tribal Artisan Melas (TAMs) to identify new artisans and products from different regions/States. TAMs are organized at District / State level where tribal artisans are invited to bring their products and product sourcing team of TRIFED identify the items which can be developed into marketable items and also make suggestions for improving the marketability of the items.

Though TRIFED had taken up marketing development activities pertaining to handicrafts in 1999 by establishing a permanent outlet at 9, Mahadev Road at New Delhi on a moderate scale, the major thrust came three years back when emphasis was laid on increasing the supply base of tribal handicrafts and boosting of the sales. From a figure of Rs.68.17 Lakhs in the year 2004-05, the sales of handicrafts went up to Rs.356 Lakhs in the year 2006-07 and Rs.476 Lakhs during 2007-08.

TRIFED plans to achieve a sales turnover of Rs.12 crore during the current financial year. TRIFED is continuously endeavoring to improve its performance year after year.

In addition to retail marketing of tribal products, TRIFED is also engaged in other developmental activities, the details of which are enclosed. TRIFED is indebted to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, without whose support and cooperation, it would not have been possible to hold this event on such a scale.