Purulia, a district of West Bengal, India is geographically characterised by mostly barren and rugged landscape, dotted at some places with hillocks and forest.
This district is the homeland of the Sabar tribals (also Shabar and Saora) who are one of the sections of Munda tribes living mainly in northern Odisha and southern West Bengal. During the British rule in India, they were unfortunately classified and branded as one of the ‘criminal tribes’ under Criminal Tribes Act 1871.
Photo Story: Cloud Cloud Everywhere
The Sabar tribals of rural Purulia suffer immensely from economic crisis, as they mainly rely on wilderness of the nature for their livelihood. It mirrors to malnutrition, evident in their rough textured skin and strands of discolored hair. But these drawbacks have not been able to steal the innocence of childhood from them. By nature they are simple, jovial, curious and inquisitive and have found out natural and simple ways to keep themselves happy. They play with trivial artifacts, climb trees, play with floral branches of Palash (Flame of the Forest, Butea monosperma) and even suck nectar out of it. Interestingly, the girls are better dressed than boys.
Their sparkling, determined and expressive eyes, spontaneous unadulterated smile firmly establish their identity as the true Gods of the soil and they have the unique power to translate and transform minor things into utter joy and immense happiness! (Purulia)
Ashok Kr Ghosh is a Gynecologist by profession. He is also a Mountaineer and Traveler and amateur photo artist. He is the recipient of several awards including Honourable Mention, Lalit Kala Academy Award, Excellence Honors from ‘Federation International de la Arte Photograhoque’.
Dr Ghosh is also a Naturalist specialising in Ornamental Floriculture and appears as Judge in horticulture exhibitions. His articles are frequently published in leading Bengali periodicals and magazines.
