Tribals remind Rahul of Grandmother

 Rahul Gandhi participate in Kisan Sandesh yatra in Adilabad 

Congress vice- president Rahul Gandhi said ‘his recent visit to Adilabad brought back memories of his grandmother late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s association with tribals.

Talking with the tribal leaders of Adilabad who met him at his officer in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi reportedly said that his grandmother Indira Gandhi presented him a book, which was full of photographs of tribal people of the country, their culture, rituals and traditions.

He recalled how she used to explain him minute details of the tribals traditions when he was 15. The Gandhi scion said that he still has those books preserved.

Adilabad DCC working president and TPCC state secretary Naresh Jadhav attended Rahul Gandhi’s meeting with tribals leaders, which is the first step towards revive the party’s relations with the Tribals.

Adivasi Gussadis and Lambada women in their traditional dresses welcomed the Rahul Gandhi at Koratikal during his Kisan Sandesh Yatra in Adilabad.

Speaking to this newspaper, Naresh Jadhav said their leader Rahul Gandhi revealed how his childhood memories with his grandmother got refreshed on seeing Adivasi Gussadis and Lambada women dressed in their traditional attire     during the pada yatra in Adilabad.

It may be recalled here that late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s photo in traditional Lambada woman’s clothing is quite popular.

Rahul Gandhi’s meeting with the tribal leaders from across the country was aimed to grow tries with the tribals of various groups by addressing their problems and extending congress party’s support to the Tribals agitations against centre.

Rahul Gandhi also interacted with the Lambada Hakkula Porata Samiti (LHPS) senior leaders Bellaiah Naik and Mangilal from Telangana state. 

With this meeting it is clear that congress party will take the support of the caste organizations, various students and tribal organizations to strengthen its base.

Tents replacing traditional 'Pandiri'

Traditional ‘pandiri’ (makeshift shamiana)) covered with the branches of sacred trees as a shelter helps the marriage parties keep their cool even under the blazing sun.

People in villages performed weddings at home instead of marriage halls. The pandiri covered with pala poruka gives coolness. 

According to tradition, people erect a pandiri with wooden poles and place the branches of the three trees that are popularly known as pala poruka. It is a fast disappearing tradition with the easy availability of several other options from makeshift tents to marriage halls.

The bridal couples’ families used to put up a new pandiri in front of their house for the marriage. Branches of the Medi or Allaneredi trees are collected from the forests in bullock carts and the cart loaded with the branches of the pala poruka is brought to the house amidst the accompanying band of musicians. 

Ada Rajanna of Ankoli village in Adilabad mandal who supplies pala poruka for marriages said it is used for making shamianas since time immemorial and was considered auspicious. Getting pala poruka in the jungles these days has become difficult due to deforestation, said Rajanna and added that they have to go to long distances to find Medi, Allaneredi trees in the forests unlike in the past.

Providing accommodation was difficult for the large number of people in the villages in summer so the pandiri works as a shelter. There are some rituals should be followed even for removing that pandiri after completing the marriage. But hardly any people opt for this preferring the convenience of city amenities.

Lekkalwar Shankar of Adilabad town said even the shed of the height and distance to be erected in front of the house where marriage taking place is decided to match the size of the house. The pandiri is erected only after performing the traditional ritual of sare.