Tribals of Chhotanagpur, The (8 Parts)

Synopsis

A series showing the tribals of Chhotanagpur, India. Gives an insight into social, cultural and economic aspects of the tribals and critically examines the impact of modernity on their traditional way of life.
1: Identifies the various tribes of living in the Chhotanagpur region, and looks at their history, their present conditions. Tribes represente three major cultural streams: the Astroasiatic (Mundari), the Dravidian (Oraon and Malto), and the Aryan (Sadan).
2: Explores the symbiotic relationship of the tribals with nature. The land of Chhotanagpur was originally known as Jharkhand or ‘the forest path’. Geographically, it is a rich land but with many poor people and a number of tribals have lost their land to zamindars and others.
3: Tribals live in close harmony with the land and they struggle to maintain that relationship. The programme deals with different concepts of land ownership, attempts by the ‘dikus’ (outsiders) to impose alien systems, and heroic rebellions such as those led by Birsa Munda, Jatra Bhagat, Siddhu and Kanhu.
4: The Chhotanagpur tribals have a highly developed set of customs, with elaborate rites for marriage, birth and death, and various feasts that reflect their relationships with nature, their ancestors and among themselves.
5: The meaning of myths reflecting the tribals’ holistic cosmology, and relates these myths to various festivals and customs.
6: The physical and social ramifications of the tribal village, looking at houses, village organisation, musical instruments, jewellery and dress.
7: Evaluates the nature of the transformation that modern education has brought about in the lives of tribal people. Those who received a modern education have reached a high position in society, but with integrationism, tribal culture may be lost. A number of people express their opinions.
8: Looks at the cultural aspects of language, music and dance. The Chahotanagpur region has several unique linguistic traditions, but it does not have a properly developed script. Attempts are being made to evolve one. Dance is also a means of expression, with different dances appropriate to various occasions.

Language

English

Country

India

Medium

Video; Videocassette. VHS. col. 8 x 17-20 min each.

Year of production

1993

Availability

Sale

Subjects

Anthropology

Keywords

ethnography; ethnomusicology; Indian art; Indian dance; Indian drama; Indian music

Sections

Title

Who are they?

Synopsis

1: Identifies the various tribes of living in the Chhotanagpur region, and looks at their history, their present conditions. Tribes represente three major cultural streams: the Astroasiatic (Mundari), the Dravidian (Oraon and Malto), and the Aryan (Sadan)

Title

Land of Chhotanagpur, The

Synopsis

2: Explores the symbiotic relationship of the tribals with nature. The land of Chhotanagpur was originally known as Jharkhand or 'the forest path'. Geographically, it is a rich land but with many poor people and a number of tribals have lost their land to

Title

Heroes of the land, The

Synopsis

3: Tribals live in close harmony with the land and they struggle to maintain that relationship. The programme deals with different concepts of land ownership, attempts by the 'dikus' (outsiders) to impose alien systems, and heroic rebellions such as those

Title

Tribal customs

Synopsis

4: The Chhotanagpur tribals have a highly developed set of customs, with elaborate rites for marriage, birth and death, and various feasts that reflect their relationships with nature, their ancestors and among themselves.

Title

Tribal cosmology

Synopsis

5: The meaning of myths reflecting the tribals' holistic cosmology, and relates these myths to various festivals and customs.

Title

Come, see my home

Synopsis

6: The physical and social ramifications of the tribal village, looking at houses, village organisation, musical instruments, jewellery and dress.

Title

Grove and the school, The

Synopsis

7: Evaluates the nature of the transformation that modern education has brought about in the lives of tribal people. Those who received a modern education have reached a high position in society, but with integrationism, tribal culture may be lost. A numb

Title

Language music and dance

Synopsis

8: Looks at the cultural aspects of language, music and dance. The Chahotanagpur region has several unique linguistic traditions, but it does not have a properly developed script. Attempts are being made to evolve one. Dance is also a means of expression,

Production Company

Name

ECAL

Distributor

Name

Education International

Email

CEC@del2.vsnl.net.in

Web

http://www.ei-india.org External site opens in new window

Phone

+91 11 689 7418

Fax

+91 11 689 7416

Address

Consortium for Educational Communication
NSC Campus
Aruna Asaf Ali Marg
New Delhi 110067
India