December 11, 2014 22:26 IST

Colourfully-decked men and women from 13 tribes across the nine districts of Telangana State displayed their dancing skills highlighting the rich cultural heritage. The rare gathering of all these tribals was on the occasion of laying of the foundation stone for Banjara Bhavan at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad. Amused neighbours watched a sight they will not forget. Tribal attires of the Banjara, Lambada, Koya, Gond and others out in their finery attracted many onlookers. Dancing, drumming and singing, the tribals turned the event lively. The Hindu photographer Mohammed Yousuf captured some of those moments.

1/14 A Lambada tribal woman wearing traditional silver ornaments during a funciton at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad on Thursday. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf Photo: Mohammed_Yousuf An overjoyed tribal woman proudly shows off an anklet presented by Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao in Hyderabad on Thursday. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf Photo: Mohammed_Yousuf Traditionally dressed tribals performing with drums at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad on Thursday. Photo: Mohammed_Yousuf Photo: Mohammed_Yousuf Biggest-ever gathering of colourfully-decked Koya and Lambada tribals at foundation laying function of Banjara Bhavan at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad on Thursday. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf Photo: Mohammed_Yousuf Banjara women performing a dance in Hyderabad on Thursday. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf Photo: Mohammed_Yousuf Amused neighbours watching the biggest-ever gathering of colourfully-decked tribals at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad on Thursday. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf Photo: Mohammed_Yousuf A Lambada woman with traditional silver jewellery at the biggest-ever gathering of colourfully-decked Koya and Lambada tribals of Telangana at the foundation laying function for Banjara Bhavan at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad on Thursday. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf Photo: Mohammed_Yousuf Lambada woman in traditional attire at Hyderabad on Thursday. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf Photo: Mohammed_Yousuf Tech-savvy: Youngsters at the foundation stone laying ceremony for Banjara Bhavan in Hyderabad on Thursday are seen busy taking video of the speech of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf Photo: Mohammed_Yousuf Music is an integral part of tribal cultural shows. Tribal men performing at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad on Thursday. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf Photo: Mohammed_Yousuf Colourfully-decked Koya and Lambada tribals performing at the fundation laying function of Banjara Bhavan in Hyderabad on Thursday. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf Photo: Mohammed_Yousuf Reflection of a tribal in full traditional attire at the foundation stone laying function for Banjara Bhavan in Banjara Hills on Thursday. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf Photo: Mohammed_Yousuf Tribal men displaying their distinctive headgear at the foundation stone laying function for Banjara Bhavan at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad on Thursday. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf Photo: Mohammed_Yousuf A drummer attracts pictorial attention with his folk art at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad on Thursday. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf Photo: Mohammed_Yousuf