Walking through the hills and valleys of Chintapalli and motoring up the winding dirt roads of the interior areas of the Agency of Alluri Sitharama Raju district makes one wonder about the travails of tribal revolutionaries who had revolted against the British with crude weapons.
The Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum (TFFM) coming up at Tajangi, near Lambasingi in Chintapalli mandal, about 120 kilometres from Visakhapatnam city, plans to take visitors into the past by making them visualise the scenes as they walk through the artefacts, weapons and other materials used by the revolutionaries in their fight against the British. The TFFM is an offshoot of the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to celebrate the unsung tribal freedom fighters from various parts of the country.
A veil of fog covering the valleys at Lambasingi. | Photo Credit: KR Deepak
Lambasingi, which has earned the epithet Andhra Kashmir for registering sub-zero temperatures during the peak winter season, is poised to get the new tourist attraction soon. Being developed at a cost of ₹35 crore, the project is a joint venture of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, and the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Savara tribal art from Addakulaguda village in Seethampeta mandal of Parvathipuram Manyam district of Andhra Pradesh which will be showcased at the Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum coming up at Lambasingi in Chintapalli mandal, about 120 kilometres from Visakhapatnam city. | Photo Credit: KR Deepak
Tribal artistes from various States in the country are presently engaged in the work of doing large paintings and art works, reflecting their culture at the Tribal Cultural Research and Training Mission (TCRTM) at Rushikonda in Visakhapatnam. These paintings would be displayed at the museum.
The work on construction of the museum at Tajangi, near Lambasingi village of Chintapalli mandal in ASR district, is progressing briskly. An extent of 21.67 acres of land was allotted for construction of the museum. The museum will have an entrance plaza, tribal haat with restaurant, and an amphitheatre.
“We had visited some of the tribes like Konda Dora, Sarika and others, who had migrated from Chintapalli region to Andhra and Pachipenta in Vizianagaram district. We had also visited Jeypore, which was then in Vizagapatam district, and presently in Odisha to get information on the objects, weapons and chains used by their ancestors. They gave us useful information and some artefacts for display,” says museum curator P Sankara Rao.
The hills and valleys at Chintapalli and surrounding areas, in combined Visakhapatnam district, are reminders of the historic Rampa Rebellion, one of the important tribal freedom movements against the British, led by the revolutionary freedom fighter Alluri Seetharama Raju.
“We have gathered information on lesser known freedom fighters from their ancestors living at Gondipakalu village of Chintapalli mandal. The Rutherford Guest House at Lambasingi, where Rutherford had visited in 1924 to catch Alluri Sitharama Raju, is located about four kilometres from the museum. Information pertaining to this guest house will be made available at the museum,” he says.
The storyline for making a 33-minute documentary covering the entire episode of the Rampa Rebellion has been developed, and information on various tribal freedom movements in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Odisha has been gathered. “These documentaries would be screened in the 300-capacity amphitheatre being constructed at the museum complex,” says Sankara Rao.
“The museum complex will also have cafeterias on two floors, souvenir shops and replicas of tribal huts and articles reflecting their traditions and culture. Though the timeline for completion of the museum project is November 2023, heavy rain, non-availability of manpower and technical issues have resulted in delays. However, at present the work is progressing at a brisk pace, and we expect to complete the project by April, 2024,” he adds.
An ode to Savara tribal art
Members from the Savara tribes from Addakulaguda village in Seethampeta mandal of Parvathipuram Manyam district of Andhra Pradesh making their tribal art, as part of the Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum coming up at Lambasingi in Chintapalli mandal, about 120 kilometres from Visakhapatnam city. | Photo Credit: KR Deepak
On a huge canvas spread across the wall of a room, Savara Raju paints a scene from a unique festival celebrated in his village to worship the forces of Nature, before the fresh harvest is taken home. Beside him are four others from his community who depict other village scenes through figurative art works in each corners of the canvas.
Raju belongs to the Savara tribes of the Addakulaguda village in Seethampeta mandal of Parvathipuram Manyam district in Andhra Pradesh. He is one of the handful of artists who still does the Savara art work, a remarkable form of tribal art that has its roots in the indigenous community of this region. These tribal designs are known as Ideesung or Edisinge, literally meaning ‘what is written in the house’.
Raju is currently at the Tribal Cultural Research and Training Mission (TCRTM) at Rushikonda in Visakhapatnam to complete a series art works showcasing the distinctive Savara paintings which will feature in the upcoming Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum.
Savara paintings are not merely decorative; they hold deep cultural and religious significance for the community and often depict themes related to Nature, spirituality, and the tribal way of life. Raju, 31, who learned the art from his father, says that these paintings once featured in every house of the community. “Now, there are just about 15 artists left who do these paintings,” he adds.
The Savara paintings incorporate elements such as animals, birds, trees and flowers into their artworks. The motifs are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also carry symbolic meanings that are often rooted in the tribe’s spiritual beliefs and folklore. One of the scenes depicted in the canvases is of the Aagam Panduga (a festival observed in memory of the departed souls and forefathers). “This is a unique festival celebrated once in a decade when the entire community comes together for a week-long celebration,” says Raju.
Members from the Savara tribes from Addakulaguda village in Seethampeta mandal of Parvathipuram Manyam district of Andhra Pradesh making their tribal art in Visakhapatnam as part of the Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum coming up at Lambasingi in Chintapalli mandal, about 120 kilometres from Visakhapatnam city. | Photo Credit: KR Deepak
The tribe’s association with Nature and wildlife is reflected in the drawings on the mud walls of their houses by using vermilion, rice powder and charcoal. The canvas for the Savara artworks is typically prepared using natural materials such as leaves, tree bark, or cloth. The colours are sourced from minerals, stones and plants, creating a stunning palette of earthy tones.
The painting process itself is meticulous and time-consuming. The brushes used by artists are made from animal hair or bamboo to apply the pigments. Intricate dotting and line work techniques are used to create the fine details and patterns that are characteristic of Savara paintings.
Savara tribal art from Addakulaguda village in Seethampeta mandal of Parvathipuram Manyam district of Andhra Pradeshthat will be showcased at the Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum coming up at Lambasingi in Chintapalli mandal, about 120 kilometres from Visakhapatnam city. | Photo Credit: KR Deepak
Even as the ancient tribal art form is gradually vanishing with lifestyle changes of the community, Savara Raju along with his father strive to revive it through the Savara Art Society that was formed in 2011. Raju was also nominated by the State government for the YSR Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.
Tribal artists from 11 States are being invited in batches to complete their works at the TCRTM before they are transported to the museum in Chintapalli. Next month, the Jatapu tribes will be coming down to Visakhapatnam from Parvathipuram Manyam district.
