The history and culture lovers’ laments that the historic Sammakka Sarakka jatara has lost its quaintness over the years and the essential tribal devotees were pushed to corner.
There were times when tribals - Muriyas, Mariyas, Dhurves of Madhya Pradesh, Gonds of Orissa and Maharashtra, Gothikoyas of Chhattisgarh, Chenchus of Adilabad, Koyas/Nayakpods of Khammam and Karimnagar districts and Rajagonds from Bastar region were seen in large numbers at the jatara, observed senior journalist V.L. Narasimha Rao.
“Now we do not hear that Rella pata (folk song) now when the tribal goddesses are brought from the hillocks to alatr," he bemoans.
Over the years much has changed at the jatara the way it was performed and arrangements being made. Now the facilities and infrastructure demand has pushed the essential customs back. The tribals in large numbers make a beeline in bullock carts travelling for days on and on. They rise temporary huts and camp there for a week soaking in bliss praying tribal goddesses.
According to Narasimha Rao, of the 90 lakh plus crowd, the tribals account for about five lakhs. The fig tree at the altar where the goddesses are installed had died but none paid any attention to plant another. The altar now looks bare without any greenery but surrounded by iron grills and granite stones all over.
The pastoral beauty that was very much part of the jatara is disturbed with agricultural fields being occupied in the name of arrangements and more non-tribals invading tiny hamlet more as an outing rather than pilgrimage.
“For many non-tribals, this is like going to picnic. They come drink and enjoy and that is only meaning the jatara carries to them which is actually not so,” MP Prof. A. Sitaram Naik laments.
The influx of non-tribals was leading to indiscriminating felling for beautiful bamboo groves that add beauty to the surroundings. They also meddle with the customs for their convenience, he added.
