Sarhul Festival in Purulia / Sarhul Dance/Paika Dance/ Tribal Festival of Munda /Worship of Sal Tree

Описание: This summer in 2022, my short trip to Purulia, West Bengal was overwhelming with live Chhau Dance performance in local village, red Polash flower all around and last but not the least , whole day long “Sarhul Festival” arranged by the Manbhum Adibasi Bhumijo Munda Kalyan Samiti.
The program started with offering garland to the statute of the great Tribal leader Birsa Munda . It was a local Adibasi girl’s school premises where the program took place. The scorching summer could not stop the enthusiasts.
Sarhul is a spring festival celebrated in Jharkhand and also in parts of states of West Bengal, Chattisgarh, Odisha where the Munda tribal communities are present.The festival is celebrated for three days in the month of Chaitra. It is a symbol of commencement of the new year. According to the tradition, it also symbolizes marriage between the Earth and the Sun.
This festival’s main role is played by the Sal tree (Shorea robusta). Sarhul literally means "worship of Sal".
The Sal tree (Shorea robusta) is one of the main sources of wood in Jharkhand and its leaves are used to make bowls in which offerings are made to deities during festivals.
At the start of spring, Sal trees bloom and new growths start beginning The Sal flowers are used for the worship of the deity during Sarhul. Sarhul is an important festival of the Oraon, the Munda and the Ho tribes.

The Sarhul dance reflects the excitement and festive mind that the tribal people have during these celebrations. The dance is open to both men and women of all age groups.
The women form human chain in a circle, holding each other on waist. The men who play musical instruments stand inside the circle. The men also move around in a circular pattern. The men play different types of drums They move in a rhythmic movement,
The entire performance includes the playing of tribal music using traditional instruments. Some locals also sing the Sarhul songs which are a narration of the beliefs and history of the tribe.
In this program Sarhul dancers from Westbengal and Jharkhand participated. I was also lucky enough to see the famous and gorgeous Paika dance directed by Ustad Gulap sing Munda. Paika is ceremonial martial dance form of Munda tribes. It is performed by men. Men wear ghungroo, dance holding sword and shield. Music instruments used are Nagara, Dhak, and Shehnai. I will make a separate video on Paika dance later.
I was present there through out the day and in the evening, I had to leave the function as I had plan to visit the khoyrabera Dam.