Rayagada, Dec 30: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, marked a vibrant presence at the annual Chaiti Mahotsav in Rayagada, reaffirming its commitment to cultural preservation and community-led development.

Organised since 2005, the festival has become a flagship celebration of Odisha’s tribal heritage, drawing over 500 artists from across the country. This year, Vedanta Aluminium’s stall emerged as a major attraction, blending traditional art forms with livelihood initiatives.

The stall featured Saura paintings and Dokra crafts, alongside products crafted by women self-help groups (SHGs) under Project Sakhi, the company’s women-empowerment initiative. A live Saura art hand-painting counter drew enthusiastic participation, offering visitors an immersive cultural experience.

Adding a unique dimension, exhibits from Odisha’s Hockey India League team, the Kalinga Lancers, owned by Vedanta Aluminium, showcased player highlights, creating a dynamic engagement platform that connected sports with culture.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Fisheries & Animal Resources Development and MSME, Gokulananda Mallik inaugurated the stall that attracted more than 25,000 visitors. Several dignitaries, including MLA Kadraka Appala Swamy, Collector Ashutosh Kulkarni graced the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajiv Kumar, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, said, “Our presence at Chaiti Mahotsav reflects our commitment to celebrating indigenous art forms and supporting local artisans. By creating platforms that connect communities with wider audiences, we aim to foster entrepreneurship, preserve cultural heritage, and drive inclusive socio-economic growth.”

The initiative was lauded by Akshaya Kumar Khemundu, Chief Development-cum-Executive Officer of Rayagada Zilla Parishad, who noted that Vedanta Aluminium’s engagement strengthens the socio-economic fabric by providing artisans and SHGs enhanced visibility and access to wider markets.

Beyond Chaiti Mahotsav, Vedanta Aluminium has supported cultural initiatives such as the world’s longest Sambalpuri drama in Sundargarh, World Tribal Day celebrations in Koraput, and felicitations of Padma Shri awardee Jitendra Haripal, the iconic Sambalpuri folk singer.

Through such efforts, Vedanta Aluminium continues to champion cultural preservation while enabling sustainable livelihoods, underscoring its role in Odisha’s socio-economic transformation.