Conversations and celebrations beckon the eighth edition of Samvaad, a one-of-its-kind eco-system for tribal identity slated to be hosted by the Tata Steel Foundation from November 15 to 19.

The programme to be hosted bridgitally includes film screenings, cuisine, cultural performances, artisans' residency, tribal healing and much more. The inauguration of the tribal conclave will take place on Monday with a homage to Bhagwan Birsa Munda at the Tribal Culture Centre in Sonari, Jamshedpur.

Samvaad has emerged as an ecosystem which celebrates the rich tribal culture, music and folklore and contemplates impartially on the most complex development challenges that face tribal communities across India and has already brought together more than 30,000 women, men and children from 157 tribes of India and 17 other countries.

The annual event is bringing together 187 outstanding tribal artists, home chefs, healers, culture crusaders and leaders in person in Jamshedpur, along with more than 4,000 women, men and children from communities of 87 tribes across 25 states and 5 Union territories in Indian who have agreed to login to the dialogue remotely in a bridgital format.

The theme of Samvaad this year is Reimagine that hopes to embark on deeper, patient and representative exploration of what this reimagination means for tribal communities.

Tata Steel vice-president (Corporate Services) Chanakya Chaudhary said, "Samvaad, over the last seven years, has been engaging in a consistent dialogue with the tribal communities in order to crate a synergy of voice and opinion aimed at converging towards meaningful and long-lasting solutions."

Sourav Roy, chief CSR, Tata Steel addressing the media on Sunday evening said this year they aim to bring communities closer to engage in reflection on what tribal communities envision their future to be. Reimagine a future that enables long-term change, co-design new solutions and embrace the role of the tribal way of life to drive transformations and come up with a collective voice that resonates with all. A specific theme underscoring each edition of Samvaad has brought to fore various perspectives on tribal languages, leadership, culture, healing practices among others, leading directional, pointed and in-depth discussions," he added.

They have also tied up with city schools. At Samuday Ke Saath, scores of school children will have their initial lessons on the tribal way of live through cinema-led storytelling at Kudy Mohanty auditorium in Kadma. Moreover, entire communities will huddle together in the Akhra sessions. "Every evening, a number of performances by tribal communities across the country will be showcased on YouTube channel," he informed.

This apart, the first-ever tribals' residency will bring together 23 artists from across the country to reimagine Samvaad and communitarianism onto seven studding convases combing 13 tribal art forms. It will be at Vikas Bharti in Jamshedpur.

As a three-pronged approach involving conversations around curated lunches, taking tribal recipes to the homes of Jamshedpur through Zomato and a unique one-of-its-kind cooking experience with tribal home chefs at the Tribal Community Centre is on the cards. Forty eight home chefs from 17 tribal communities from across India who bring with them age-old recipes which will be available for the people of Jamshedpur on online food aggregator Zomato during all the five-days of the conclave.