Adivasis keen to protect their identity

 Badapen or  Pading

The Adivasis are making serious efforts to preserve their Gondwana culture and history by installing Badadev or Pading symbol of pylon in various Adivasi gudems in Telangana.

Such a pylon was recently installed at Ushegoan village in Jainoor mandal and this was first symbol of their traditional god Persapen in Telangana.

Adivasi leaders say they were planning to install Badadev pylon in all the Adivasi gudems as it was considered to be a symbol of their unique culture. The installation of such pylons aims at making Adivasi youth familiar to their unique culture and traditions.

Former MLA Atram Sakku said they were planning to install Badadev pylons in all the Adivasi gudems to show their identity as Adivasis living in that particular place or area. He added that it was high time to protect their identity when Adivais are under attack from various quarters.           

He said Adivasis in Central India worship Badadev or Pading where as Adivasis of Telangana worship the same god as Persapen. They informed that recently Adivasis installed Badadev pylon at Kachargadh area on the borders of Maharasthra and Chattishgarh.

Atram Sakku recalled that Gond kings rule the Adilabad and Chandrapur area in Maharashtra in 18^th century.

The 750 number scripted in the Badapen indicates the surnames of Adivasis living in the Orissa, Chattisgarh, Maharasthra and Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana , Andhra Pradesh . Lion on the elephant is official emblem of erstwhile Gondwana dynasty.

The Badapen pylon will also comprises half moon and sun symbols which have prominent place in the Adivasis culture and traditions.

Gondi Dharma Pracharak Sedmaki Seetharam said that most of their festivals and rituals begin based on the movements of the moon and sun and it is traditional knowledge.