Culture Efforts to support tribals may
well leave them at the doorstep of development without a sense of belongings and their
cultural heritage.
With a view to helping the tribal
population preserve its rich inheritance, Tata Steel has set up the Tribal Culture Centre
(TCC) at a cost of Rs 35,00,000. This Centre showcases the tribal legacy of four major and
five minor tribes of Jharkhand and Orissa and evokes a lot of interest amidst scholars,
researchers and even laypersons. TCC not only documents relevant research but also enables
the continuation of the tradition by sharing it with the youth and non-tribals.
 Additionally, a Santhali Language
Laboratory has also been initiated in the Centre since 2002-03.
The centre was instrumental in reviving
the now almost forgotten 'Kati' - a game played between two teams that attempt to score
points by hitting the opponent's Kati - a semicircular piece of wood by a long wooden
stick using their feet. Known to be a game that used to be played by youths in non
agricultural season, it tests the team spirit, physical strength and concentration levels
of the players. |
"Hundreds of people joined..."
Adim Dastoor,
a three day programme, was organized at Bari Maidan, Jamshedpur. This cultural
extravaganza showcased the heritage and lifestyle of the indigenous people in Jharkhand.
Lecture demonstration sessions on tribal heritage, exhibitions on historical advent of
tribal movements, various forms of tribal dance and music, their relevance and specifics
were dwelled upon at great length followed by actual performance by the experts.
The event also showcased a day-night Kati tournament between 25 teams from all over
Jharkhand and tribal Orissa.
Tribal belief has it that within the 'Akhara' (common meeting place for men within the
village), no one is an audience. Every step taken is dance, every word that is uttered is
a song. The climax of the three-day event resounded this belief as hundreds of people in
the ground joined in the performance accompanied by 25 drum beaters who lent a sparkling
end to the festival.
A report on a tribal festival, which is
organized every year by TCC. |
Tribal Heritage Centre
Dancers on the occasion of
Adim Dastoor
|
|
|
FOOTPRINTS |
 |
|
Publication
Rituals
2002-03 : Customs of Santhals |
| • |
| 2003-04 :
Kolhan Kitto Jaygati |
| • |
2004-05 :
Jharkhand ke
lok Nritya |
| • |
Cultural
events like the Chhau
Mahotsava, Ho Mabasabha
and Sama Jhanda Julus have
been given financial support
worth Rs 12,00,000 in from
2003 – 2005 |
|
