An Unique Socio-Cultural Venture

Ranchi, the political centre of Jharkhand witnessed an unique socio-cultural programme on 24-25 May. It was a youth cultural festival sponsored by Jharkhand Sanskritik Manch and RYA. The festival was named Ulgulan Jatra (‘Ulgulan’ means revolution in Mundari language used by Birsa Munda himself and ‘Jatra’ means a sort of festival).

The Jatra took place at a time when revivalist tendencies in Jharkhand are trying to capture the space offered due to the deep stagnation of the Jharkhand movement. One tendency as experimented by BJP, is assimilating tribal revivalism in Hindu revivalism and the other tendency as advocated by the foreign funded NGOs in collusion with Christian missionaries, is alienating tribal people in the name of safegaurding tradition. These have only left the Jharkhandi youth more frustrated and directionless. To counter this challenge posed by the reactionary, reformist and revivalist forces, left and democratic forces have to intensify their interaction with the genuine traditions of Jharkhandi people. It was with this perception that the Jatra was organised to provide a platform to intensify a new democratic socio-cultural awakening in Jharkhand. And this wouldn’t be confined as a cultural move in pure sense rather in many ways it would contribute in advancing the political movement for autonomy and the struggle of the working people.

The festival was inaugurated by Vinod Mishra, General Secretary of CPI(ML). Dr.Ram Dayal Munda and Dr.BP Kesri, both prominent intellectuals of the Jharkhand movement, were the chief guest and the chief of reception committee respectively. The festival was marked by the presence of representatives of almost all streams and shades of intellectuals and literary and cultural personalities of Jharkhand.

There were exhibhitions, an archery competition, seminars, a meet of the multi-linguistic poets and other events. An art exhibition on the history of Jharkhand movement and a photo exhibition on the transition of the tribal society of Jharkhand were organised. Three seminars attended by representatives of left and democratic streams, were organised on the topics: ‘Challenges of Developing Democratic Culture in Jharkhand’, ‘50 Years of Independence and Future of Youth’ and ‘Right of Tribal Women on Land’.

The cultural programmes on both the days were colourful and full of variety. Emphasis was to depict as many traditional cultural forms of Jharkhand (like Jhumur, different tribal dances and songs, Chau dance etc.) as possible. Another important feature was the performance of some veteran progressive singers on Nagpuri who have been associated with progressive movements like Mahabir Nayak and Mukunda Nayak. Performances by cultural teams from Karbi Anglong and Bengal added to the richness of the festival.

As a whole it was a succesful venture having a potential of setting a new trend in the socio-cultural movement of Jharkhand and the challenge lies in consistently carrying it forward.

DP BUXI