Folk traditions: an ecological inheritance
Once upon a time, traditional eco-knowledge passed from generation to generation in the form of stories, songs, theater and dance. Details of gathering food, identifying medicinal plants, understanding animal behavior, managing fire and surviving in the forest were preserved through these vehicles. The old stories and their significance are being forgotten or are changing over time with the migration of people out of forests and the destruction of wilderness places. Yet their portrayals of the lifestyles and values of people living centuries ago, though different from those of today, impart useful information about humans’ connection to nature.
Historian Dr. Nanditha Krishna and folk musician Dr. K. Ramashwarappa are individuals with very different backgrounds working to interpret, archive and/or revive the eco-witty and wise parables and traditions of yesteryear for the benefit of future generations. In their interviews they talked about the connection between ecology and folklore and how the tiger figures in these stories.
Dr. Nanditha Krishna is an educator, author and University of Madras scholar of ancient Indian culture whose research is at the intersection of ecology, folk and spiritual traditions. Sacred Animals of India and Sacred Plants of India are among the books she has authored. As president of the C.P. Ramaswamy Foundation, Chennai, she oversees a spectrum of educational outreach programs that raise environmental awareness, preserve and present folk traditions, and promote literacy among children and adults. She also works for the protection of sacred groves in the state of Tamil Nadu.
I chatted with Krishna in her office in Chennai. Elegant, erudite and soft-spoken, she delighted me with fascinating accounts of Hindu deities, their animal vehicles and the twisting plots of their narratives. She explained that seeds of ecology are sown throughout many of the fanciful anecdotes of the characters and the rituals associated with their devotion based on early observations about human-plant-animal relationships.
Video excerpt above features Dr. Nanditha Krishna discussing tiger folklore and traditions.
Dr. K. Ramashwarappa is the senior deputy director in the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs in the Mysore district. He is also a historian, poet and well-known musician in the region whose ensemble, Inidani Mannamakkala Honnapadagagala Balaga, composed of talented percussionists, flutists, keyboardists, vocalists and other musicians, performs pop music arrangements based on centuries-old folk stories and songs. Themes of nature are a recurring subject in the troupe’s repertory. In early February I had the good fortune of hearing Ramashwarappa in concert at the annual Mahadeshwara Jatra (festival) near the town of Hosahali in the Kabini backwaters area of Karnataka. Lord Sri Mahadeshwara, a holy man said to have lived nearly 600 years ago, is enormously popular among devotees in the state of Karnataka and worshipped as an incarnation of Lord Easwara. The tiger is his companion/vehicle. Villagers gathered in celebration of music, dance and prayer to honor the tiger-riding saint.
The band performed songs in honor of Mahadeshwara to a cheering crowd of more than 15,000 people. The rousing rhythms and upbeat tunes set the stage for a joyful community experience, and the good vibes lasted well into the night. I documented both the concert and puja (worship) festivities. At intermission, the singers surprised me by calling me on stage and introducing me to their fans. So it was I made a guest appearance! I can’t exactly recall what I said on account of being nervous, but I began with the words, “Namaste, India!” and concluded by dedicating the night to Mahadeshwara and his tiger.
Video above features Kannada music troupe Inidani Mannamakkala Honnapadagagala Balaga in concert at the Mahadeshwara Jatra, Kabini, Karnataka.
The short video above shows devotees celebrating Lord Sri Mahadeshwara and his tiger companion/vehicle. A selection of photos from the event is below.
