Erode (Tamil Nadu)
The famed Pyramids of Egypt are tombs for ancient Pharaohs, who were mummified and buried inside them with many treasures to ensure they had a good life in the afterlife. The Pyramids, it is said, were also built to keep robbers away from the gold and offerings that the kings and queens were buried with.
In Europe, Asia, and Central and South Africa, Megaliths — large stone used to construct prehistoric monuments or structures — were used by ancient communities from the late Neolithic period through the Bronze Age. They were used for a variety of purposes like burial sites, for rituals and also commemoration. The word Megalith comes from the ancient Greek words mega (great) and lithos (stone).
In India, the megalithic culture has been mainly followed by Maria, Muria and Gond tribes and is believed to be 3000 years old. Bearing remarkable beauty, variety and craftsmanship, these pillars erected in honour of the dead dot the landscape of Dantewada as well as the adjoining Bastar district in Chhattisgarh.
It is said, the practice started during the agricultural stage of the evolution of humans with stone. Its remains are also found in other States like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Assam and even Jammu and Kashmir.
The tribes of Chhattisgarh have different customs, traditions, costumes, and livelihoods. Gudi, (memory/dead pillars) is one of their significant practices. The memory/deceased pillars are erected on the occasion of the death of a person. It’s an ancient belief that even after death, they can embrace the place as a living soul. The oldest ones are of stones and many of them have been declared protected monuments under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites Remains Act, 1958.
These memory pillars are the present-day counterparts of ancient megaliths and show the transformation of tradition over time. Indeed, memory pillars are a continuing megalithic tradition of India.
GUDI BY THE ROADSIDE
In Bastar and Dantewada districts, it is quite common to see pillars, either short or tall. Some are made of wood, some stone and yet others with concrete. They are found by the roadside, deep inside jungles or even in the middle of paddy fields. The ancestors are buried with a wide and sharp stone placed 6-7 feet high.
The pillars are set up ceremoniously on the ninth or tenth day after the death of an individual. Before erecting memory pillars, it is usual to bury coins and utensils underneath as part of an elaborate annual ritual. A feast is also organised and guests are invited.
GUDI WITH HOBBIES, PERSONAL LIKES
Older memory pillars were painted with animals or scenes from daily life while recent ones bear the name, hobbies, personal likes and dislikes and even photographs of the deceased. Some of them are no more than upright stone slabs with engravings/paintings on them, having been defaced by time. Still others have recognisable stone carvings of a fish or a bird perched on top. Those that do still retain the painting show musicians and dancers, animals and plants.
GUDI MADE OF WOOD
Wooden pillars with carvings still stand, though according to tribal inhabitants, because wood decays and has a short shelf-life outdoors at the mercy of the weather, they prefer using concrete or stone.
Dr. T.R. Bhoi, Professor and Archeologist in the University of Jammu, referred to the Megalithic culture in his book, Ethnography of Megalithic Culture in Chhattisgarh.
“The tradition of erecting Megalithic monuments still continues amongst the various tribes of North East and central India. The tribes like Maria and Gonda tribes of Bastar, still put up Menhirs and Dolmens in the honour of the departed souls. The Megalithic monuments of Chhattisgarh are concentrated on high rock bench areas. In Bastar region, the erection of Megalithic monuments is a living tradition,” he wrote.
GUDI OF MODERN TIMES
The paintings show the progress of time and some of the newer ones have photographs, aeroplanes, trains, modern buildings and so on, comfortably sharing space with more traditional tribal motifs. Earlier, natural soil colours were used but now brighter blues, oranges and greens can be seen.
Himanshu Shekhar, an archaeologist in Ranchi, Jharkhand, has pointed out that practices of both burial and cremation are prevalent among the Mundas. “The methods adopted depend not only on different
clans but also on different circumstances leading to death. Burials are more common in Khunti
and the southern part of the Ranchi District, while cremation is more common in other parts of
Ranchi.
“The nature of funeral remains and other factors indicate that the ancient Megalithic sites
in the region may have similar affinity to the present-day Megalith builders. The Megalithic
tradition of the Mundas is an important aspect of the cultural identity of Jharkhand that can be
traced to an ancient past,” he maintained.
THE LOGISTICS
To erect memory pillars, special artisans are hired by families. The artisans stay at the family’s house till the pillar is completed. The cost of the pillars can range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 30,000. Wealthier families may commission larger, brighter, and more expensive pillars. However, some families are abandoning the tradition as they cannot afford to make the pillars anymore.
