Under the aegis of VK- AICYAM, a seminar was organised on Traditional Systems of Sabar (Saura) community of South Odisha. The seminar was organised on 4th July 2015 at Paralakhemundi, headquarters of Gajapati district. In the inaugural session Sri Ramananda Maharaj, Mahanta of Dei Math, was the chief guest and the Mananneya Nivedita didi was the chief speaker. In her key note address Didi, emphasised on the necessity of such seminars where participatory research is done. She also told that it was Sabar janajati which recognised Sri Rama and Sri Krishna as Bhagawan. It was Sabari who worshipped Sri Rama and waited years for his arrival and it was Vishwavasu who recognised that Nilamadhaba is Jagannath.
Three papers were presented in the technical sessions, Oral History, Gods and Goddesses and Festivals, the third paper was on Marriage rituals. All the three papers were discussed thoroughly. In the concluding session, Nivedita didi mentioned about extensive research in this field and how we can modernise our communities to keep pace with the changing times keeping our traditions intact. The concluding was followed by cultural programme.
