Preserving Tradition: The Art and Culture of Odisha's Saura Tribe

The Sauras constitute the second-largest tribal population of Orissa. They alone make up 22.85% of the state population. Anthropologically coming from the proto Australoid stock, the Sauras primarily inhabit the Gajapati, Kalahandi and Rayagah districts of Orissa. The racial appearance of the Lanjia Sauras resembles that of the pre-Dravidian stock.

Sora, Saura and Savara are some other alternative names for the Lanjia Tribe. In ancient times their primary occupation was hunting, but today they mostly rely on an agrarian economy where the people practice Jhum Cultivation. The major cash crop grown by the people is Cashew nuts. The whole hill spots are now covered with the green lustrous trees of Cashew nuts, not only providing a sustainable livelihood to the Sauras but also enhancing the forest cover of the area.

HISTORY OF THE SAURAS

The word Saura has multiple interpretations. Some opine that Saura refers to an "Axe", while in Sanskrit, Saura translates to "Sobe Roye" meaning one who carries the dead body. The latter is more contextual in the regard that the community has a separate and strong belief system on life after death and most of their artworks and cultural motifs revolve around the same.

The oral history of the Sauras trace back to Indian epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata and also the rock paintings.

• It is said that Mata Sabri, the pious lady who offered tasty berries to Lord Rama and Lord Laxmana during their exile, also belonged to the Saura community.
• At the end of Mahabharata, the arrow of a hunter unknowingly hits Lord Vishnu. According to scriptures, that hunter was Jara Savara, a Saura.
• The rock paintings of Hathi Gupha of the Khuraveha Roja also narrate the tales of this ethnic group.

From the above evidence, it is clear that the Sauras have been enriching Indian Culture since ancient times and the history of their social identity traces back to the times of Ramayana.

Castes and subgroups of the tribe

The Saura tribe's ancestry is linked to the prominent sub-division of the 'great Kolarian family.' Within the Kolarian branch lies the 'Sabara people' (referred to as Saura in this context), who might have been displaced by other tribal groups of the Kolarian in the northeast and by the Gonds in the south. Similarly, the Kolarian Santals were previously known as Savaras or Saura by the male Paharias. The names 'Savara' or 'Saura' are believed to be offshoots of the Kols tribe, who are now known as Kurkus and Bhills in the west, and Santals, Bhuiyas, Mundas, Hos, Bhunij, and Juangs in the eastern part of India. Additionally, the name 'Soma Deva' in 'Katha Sarita Sagar' has used the name 'Savara' as synonymous with Pulinda and Bhilla.

IDITALS : THE WALL PAINTINGS

The "idital" holds a significant place in Lanjia Saura culture and is revered around the world. These captivating wall paintings pay homage to their ancestors and portray human figures, majestic horses, celestial stars, mysterious elephants, the radiant sun and moon, and the enduring tree of life.

The background of the paintings is crafted using yellow or red ochre earth, and then painted over with brushes made from tender bamboo shoots. The Idaimar, the skilled wall painters, use natural dyes and pigments derived from earth pigments, vermilion, and mixtures of tamarind seed, flower, and leaf extracts. The line drawings of the icons are based on geometric forms and represent various aspects of life such as fertility, disease prevention, and ritualistic practices.

THE RITUALISTIC PROCEDURE OF MAKING AN IDITAL

The art form of Idital holds significant cultural importance within the community, encompassing deep religious beliefs and traditions. The process of creating an Idital is initiated by a priest, or Kudan, who receives guidance through a dream from their forefathers. Before starting the painting, the artist must spend a night in the house and prepare a designated wall with red earth plaster. Once the painting is complete, offerings of rice, alcohol, and flowers are made to the ancestors or spirits by the Idaimar while praying. The Saura people believe that the spirit of their ancestors resides within the Idital, and these unique paintings are created in special locations suitable for performing various rituals.

EVERY DETAIL NARRATES A TALE

The Iditals represent a beautiful form of artistic expression through their simple yet profound strokes. For the Sauras, art holds deep spiritual and religious significance. They have a pantheon of around 174 gods and goddesses, and the Iditals are painted to honor them. As an ethnic tribe deeply rooted in nature, they also create Iditals for the hill gods.

• Benasum
• Kurtisum
• Borongsum

The Saura community believes that their treatment of the deceased can impact the fertility of their crops. As a result, many of their rituals and festivals center around the concept of life after death. There are over 62 different types of these rituals, each dedicated to a specific occasion.

A dying art form

The gradual erosion of traditional cultural activities over the past few decades is a cause for concern. To adapt to the evolving landscape, the community has embraced new languages and acquired new skills to pursue better livelihood opportunities. The commercialization of the artistic aspects of idital reflects the immense pressure to conform to modern market demands.

The influence of missionaries has resulted in the fading significance of creating sacred idital. The younger generations, influenced by Christianity, have distanced themselves from these cherished cultural practices. Adapting to these changes can be challenging for the community.

The Odisha government offers training and provides venues for creating idital, presenting the Saura youth with numerous opportunities through the SCSTRTIx and micro projects. It appears that the younger generations of Lanjia Saura are primarily drawn to this profession for financial gain rather than for the preservation of their traditions, given the significant demand for iditals. It's rare for an idital painter to be unemployed in these villages. Moreover, these artists are commissioned by state authorities to adorn city walls with their idital paintings. According to one idital artist, a 20x8 inch painting typically takes a day to complete. While the materials for creating it cost around one hundred rupees, they are sold for more than seven hundred rupees. Larger paintings command even higher prices.

Every profit comes with a loss

The commercialization of Iditals has brought income to the Sauras, but it has also diluted the traditional ritualistic essence. Nevertheless, it's heartening to witness the younger generation of the Lanjia Saura community stepping up to preserve the heritage of Iditals and showcasing their significance globally through their artistic endeavors.

REFERENCES

• (Jeena & Prasad, 2022)
• https://youtu.be/8s2zw6T__g0?si=AqLnYXGo3H5GDkWy
• https://youtu.be/mCvLvrwDClo?si=Iydl7ei0ZXEz-QBG
• https://youtu.be/x11q-BJwob4?si=4aUTGD0XCCAb8HHb