Nomads bring Rajasthan to Gurgaon residents
GURGAON: The nomads of Haryana and Rajasthan, who have long been neglected by people, including their own, after the British declared them criminals in the 19th century,are increasingly coming into the focus.
On Saturday evening, some of these nomads comprising the Saperas, Banjaras and Bhopas came together to perform a unique jugalbandi at the Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon, and mesmerise the crowd with their musical talents.
They know their soil like no one else and yet they are invisible to the so-called civilised society. The census doesnt even count them and the politicians dont need their votes, lamented Meenakshi Rai, a National Award-winning filmmaker and social activist who has been working with several nomadic tribes of India and abroad.
This movement by the nomads is therefore a platform to show the rest of the people that they exist and even teach others a lesson or two on sustainable living, Rai added.
Highlighting important aspects of nomadic culture like the knowledge of snakes and bamboo art, the high status of women in society and the deeper understanding of nature, the songs provided a peek into the lives of these people. When these young students are introduced to the injustice witnessed by marginalised groups, it gives them a broader understanding of things. They need to realise that the world is much more than air-conditioned offices and board meetings, said Vinay Rai, another social activist and filmmaker.
Maamraj Banjara, who sells vegetables cultivated in sheep manure to almost 500 households in various condominiums of Gurgaon, said, We have come up with a sales model that works with the kind of resources we have. The vegetables from our land in suburban Gurgaon are collected weekly and supplied to the customers in the city. We are paid monthly by the customers so that we dont have to frequent the city in order to sell our stuff.
Kesar Nath Kalbeliya, who believes that music is the greatest binding force, claimed, In this band of musicians, we have members from the Sapera, Banjara and Bhopa tribes. Though they are never seen in each others company, they have come together to support a social movement that we believe can get us recognition and dignity.
Women, on the other hand, are skilled artisans. We love to dress up because every Banjaran is born with a sense of style. If I had to describe a typical Banjaran, I would describe her with the help of a song that loosely translates into, She is always so busy dressing up that shes never left with any time for the household chores. Well, thats what the husbands are for, said Gummi Banjaran, who takes pride in the fact that her community believes in women power.
Source:
By
Kalidas Shinde
PhD Scholar(TISS)
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