NCPA - Living Traditions: Festival of Jharkhand
At: Experimental Theatre
Day 1 - 8 March 2024
Nagpuri songs by Prithviraj Sinhdeo & group
Regarded as a derivative of Bhojpuri, Nagpuri is the main language
of Sadan, an ethno-linguistic group of the Chhota Nagpur region, which
covers some areas of Jharkhand and neighbouring states of Bihar,
Chhattisgarh and Odisha. It is also the main language of several tribal
groups such as Kharia, Munda, Bhumij, Kurukh and others. Couched in
Nagpuri language, the musical renditions are based on diverse melodies,
reflecting the typical folk flavour of the region. Until recently, only
locally made instruments were used for accompaniment.
Ho dance by Uma Kumari & group
Ho Munda are the scheduled tribe of the Singbhum district of Jharkhand.
Performed together by men and women, the Ho dance is essentially
regarded as a courtship dance. But often, it is also performed during
the harvest season and wedding celebrations. White, red and yellow
colours dominate attires of both men and women. Holding each other, they
move with the melody of the bansuri (bamboo flute) in a semi-circular
fashion with graceful footsteps and waist movements, matching with the
beat of drums and percussion instruments such as dama, dumeng and rutu,
to name a few. The songs vary with the change of season and occasion; as
a result, there are several variations of this dance form. Mage Porob,
organised in the month of Magh, is a well-known dance festival of the Ho
Munda community.
Gohaeer Jatra: folk play written and directed by Deepak Lohar
A Presentation by Birsa Kala Kendra
The title of the play depicts loud communication amidst the pandemonium
of the countryside fair. This is a story of a village girl Roopa, caught
in human trafficking. The play unfolds the heartrending plight of the
victim along with that of her brother, Kanhu, who also has his own share
of life struggles. The play has a tragic end, highlighting the menacing
effects of rural poverty that is rampant in most Indian villages.
Day 2 - 9 March 2024
Kudmali Jhumar songs
by Kamal Mahato & group
Regarded as an Indo-Aryan language, Kudmali is one of the several
languages spoken in Bihar. While mainly prevalent in the Chhota Nagpur
region of Jharkhand, it is also widespread in the border regions of
Odisha and West Bengal. Though mainly written in the Bangla script,
Kudmali literature is also available in other scripts such as Devnagri
and Odia.
Closely linked with the lives of common people, Kudmali folk songs are
simple, yet appealing. There is no aspect of life in this region that
can be considered complete without the inclusion of these extremely
popular songs, known as Kudmali jhumar geet.
Chhau dance by Dildar Ansari & group
Recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage of humanity, chhau
is a popular dance form prevalent in the three states of eastern India:
Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. Although there are regional
variations, topics generally range from the great epics and mythology to
nature and even folklore, which are presented using combinations of
hand, neck, and eye movements. Some varieties also deploy martial art
techniques. Instruments used are bamboo flute, cymbals and varieties of
native drums. Within the state of Jharkhand, there are three prevalent
styles of chhau: Saraikela, Kharsawa and Manbhum.
This chhau dance presentation revolves around the hunting tradition of
this region replete with lush green hills, forests, animals and tribals,
in which hunters kill animals for their flesh. When persuaded by their
wives to abandon the age-old practice against nature, hunters understand
the importance of maintaining an ecological balance by protecting all
kinds of flora and fauna, which would in turn protect the human species.
Phurgal Dishom Rin Bir Ko, folk play by Jeet Rai Hansda & group
The play portrays the saga of several adivasi men who fought
relentlessly against the rulers of the British Empire in pursuit of
freedom. Starting in 1784, Baba Tilka Manjhi led an uprising against
British landlords at Bhagalpur. His brutal execution gave impetus to
further rebellion by other young men including four brothers - Siddhu,
Kaku, Chand and Bhairav - who, around 1855, dared to fight the British
along with thousands of adivasis from the Santhal region. Legend has it
that their sisters as well as lovers also joined the freedom struggle.
Later, Birsa Munda led the struggle from the Chhota Nagpur region. The
sacrifices made by these iconic leaders along with thousands of men,
women and children are depicted in a style replete with song, dance and
action.
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