GS Paper I
News Excerpt:
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is making efforts to get UNESCO to declare the annual ‘Paruveta Utsavam’ as an ‘intangible cultural heritage’.
About the Festival:
- The annual mock hunting festival is conducted at the Sri Narasimha Swamy temple in Ahobilam.
- The festival stands as a symbol of communal harmony where the deity from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is taken to the 32 Chenchu tribal hamlets around Ahobilam for 40 days.
- It is celebrated by all sections of people irrespective of their caste, in Ahobilam, Nandyal district Andhra Pradesh.
- For instance Vadla Kammara community makes the Palanquin, Chenchus collect honey, Linen and sacred mango leaves from forests, Devotees from Mala Community recites Vachanas.
- It is a festival of communal harmony as devotees from other religious communities like muslims also offer prayers to the lord.
- Chenchus are emotionally connected with this festival.
According to folklore, Lord Vishnu, upon his incarnation as a man-lion (Narasimha) in Ahobilam, married Maha Lakshmi, born as a tribal girl Chenchulakshmi.
|
Chenchu Tribe:
- The Chenchu are a very small nomadic forest tribe of Odisha who wander across the borders of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in search of livelihood.
- It is said that 'Chenchu' is a person who lives under a 'Chettu' (tree).
- Another interpretation relates to the Chenchu's habit of eating mice (Chenchu).
- They mainly inhabit the Nallamalai Hill ranges in south eastern part of India comprising parts of undivided Andhra Pradesh.
- History says that Chenchus were the first dwellers of Andhra region much before the Dravidians.
- It is believed that the Chenchus were employed by the kings of the south to protect the river Krishna and Thungabhadra.
- They speak a language of their own called Chenchu which belongs to the Dravidian language family.
- Being a semi-nomadic forest dwelling and forest dependent tribe of hunters and food gatherers, they were in the past living in caverns or under the shady trees. Now they live in small huts.
- Most of the temporary Chenchu settlements are situated at the edge or interiors of forests to facilitate food gathering.
- The tribe is divided into several exogamous kinship groups called kulam or intiperu. They practice early marriage and prefer cross-cousin marriage.
- They either bury or cremate the dead and observe mourning and pollution for ten days.
- They worship a number of deities and observe rituals and festivals as their neighbouring castes do.
|
- The Kurnool District Gazetteers, published by Government Press in 1881, records several beliefs of the Chenchu tribes, including their reverence to Ahobila Narasimha as their brother-in-law and inviting Him home for Makara Sankranti.
- During the festival, the temple staff stay in these hamlets for the entire period, indicating the presence of a casteless society in the past, with no hint of untouchability.
- The festival starts with the tribals aiming their bow and shooting two arrows at the palanquin, not only as a mark of reverence but also to show that the deity is under their protective cover.
How Tribal are linked to the festival:
- By ‘Guru Parampara’, the temple is governed by the 600-year-old Ahobila Mutt, which encouraged this tribal festival to spread Srivaishnavism among the folk tribes.
- The tribal link to Lord Vishnu is confirmed in Vasanthika Parinayam, a Sanskrit drama written by the Mutt’s 7th Jeeyar (pontiff), several centuries ago.
|
About INTACH:
- The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) was founded in 1984 in New Delhi with the vision to spearhead heritage awareness and conservation in India.
- INTACH is recognized as one of the world’s largest heritage organizations, with over 190 Chapters across the Country.
- In the past 31 years INTACH has pioneered the conservation and preservation of not just our natural and built heritage but intangible heritage as well.
- Headquartered in New Delhi, it operates through various divisions such as Architectural Heritage, Natural Heritage, Material Heritage, Intangible Cultural Heritage, etc.
- INTACH’s mission to conserve heritage is based on the belief that living in harmony with heritage enhances the quality of life, and it is the duty of every citizen of India as laid down in the Constitution of India.
- Its stated mission to date continues to be:
- Sensitize the public about the pluralistic cultural legacy of India.
- Instill a sense of social responsibility towards preserving India’s common heritage.
- Protect and preserve India’s living, built, and natural heritage by undertaking necessary actions and measures.
|
Conclusion:
The 'Paruveta Utsavam' festival at Sri Narasimha Swamy temple, integrating the Chenchu tribe, embodies cultural harmony. Efforts by INTACH to secure UNESCO recognition highlight its significance. This celebration, steeped in history and tradition, not only preserves heritage but also fosters unity and understanding among diverse communities.
