The Ranchi-based Dr. Ram Dayal Munda Tribal Welfare Research Institute has decided to document the folklores. And dances of half-a-dozen tribes namely Birhor, Korwa, Asur, Birijiya, Munda, and Ho.
The initiative is aimed at preserving the cultural heritage of tribals, especially the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
The “endangered” traditional musical instruments of Jharkhand will also be given special attention during advanced studies.
“On February 1, we organized a training programme-cum-workshop for the agencies involved in this project. Each agency sent two representatives for the training. Dr Munda’s son Gunjal I Munda and noted academicians like PK Jha, Meghnath, Biju Toppo, Dr Shraddha Shrivastava, Badri Prasad and Bandi Oraon too had come to give their tips,” said Institute Director, Ranendra Kumar
As many as 15 different agencies have been hired for the documentation of Jhumar (Mardani & Janani), Baroya, Dhuriya, Jeth Jatra, Kartik Jatra, Lahasua, Thar Lahasua, Asadhi, Savaniya, Karam, Bharni, Thapdi, Hairlo, Jadur, and Bhadaua songs, and dances and the traditional musical instruments being played therein.
These “documentation” will be done in print, audio, and audio-visual formats. So as to enable the present-day learners to understand their ”roots” in the correct sense of the term.
