Introduction:
In the enchanting realm of cultural diversity that paints the canvas of India, the Saura tribe emerges as a vibrant tapestry of traditions, artistry, and spirituality. As we embark on this journey to explore the captivating heritage of the Lanjia Saura, let's begin with a surprising fact that unveils the layers of their unique identity: Despite their numerical importance, the Saura tribe has managed to preserve an intricate cultural legacy that intertwines seamlessly with the history of Orissa and beyond.
Thesis
Within this vast tapestry of indigenous cultures, the Saura tribe, particularly the Lanjia Saura, holds
a distinct position. Their rich history, deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and ancient scriptures, beckons us to delve into the intricacies of their unique traditions, religious practices, and the mesmerizing art of wall paintings. This exploration not only unveils the cultural richness of the Saura people but also sheds light on the urgency of preserving their heritage in the face of modernization.
Preview
Our journey into the world of the Lanjia Saura will unfold in three main sections. Firstly, we will delve into the unique identities and attire that distinguish the Saura tribe, exploring the threads that connect their names to their cultural expressions. Next, we will venture into their picturesque habitats, nestled amidst the rolling hills, lush forests, and undulating meadows, where the Lanjia Sauras express their spirit of freedom through vibrant costumes and scintillating dance.
The heart of our exploration lies in understanding the Saura tribe's religious beliefs, culture, and the extraordinary art of wall paintings. This section will unravel the complex tapestry of deities and spirits worshiped by the Lanjia Saura, offering insights into their rituals and the symbolic language of their wall paintings. Finally, we will conclude our journey by discussing the urgent need to safeguard this priceless cultural tradition and make recommendations to ensure the preservation of the Saura tribe's heritage.
Origins and Distribution Across Eastern and Central India
The Saura tribe, with its multifaceted cultural identity, has deep historical roots originating in Eastern and Central India. Reverberations of their presence can be traced across the states of Orissa, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. boasts rolling hills, undulating meadows, lush green forests, roaring rapids, enchanting waterfalls, and terraced paddy fields. This geographic spread not only underscores the numerical importance of the Saura tribe but also highlights their enduring cultural influence.
As per the Ministry of Tribal Affairs census 2011, Lanja Saura of Odisha:
Population: 5.81 lakh
Literacy Rate: 37.73%
63% engaged in labor work
Distinct Costumes and Bodily Adornments Denoting Tribal Identity
Within the intricate mosaic of Indian tribes, the Saura people carve out a distinctive identity through their attire and bodily adornments. The Lanjia Saura, a primitive section of the tribe, is particularly noteworthy for their unique style. The long and narrow strip of embroidered loincloth worn by Saura men, with red ends hanging down in front and back like a tail (Lanja), serves as a visual marker of their tribal identity. Occasionally complemented by bead necklaces, this traditional male dress stands as a testament to the tribe's rich cultural heritage.
On the other hand, Saura women exhibit a more understated yet significant style. Clad in a coarse waist cloth with gray/red borders, measuring about three feet in length and two feet in breadth, Saura women's traditional attire barely reaches the knees. This simplicity is further accentuated by the use of minimal ornaments, including bead necklaces, metal neck rings, round wooden plugs in ear lobes, spiral rings made of brass, bell-metal, or aluminum in fingers and toes, little rings in the alae of the nose, and metal anklets—all acquired from local markets. The Saura women's distinctive attire mirrors a harmonious blend of tradition and functionality.
Stylistic Analysis of Recurring Geometric Patterns in Paintings
The Lanjia Saura tribe, known for their exquisite wall paintings, has a rich artistic tradition that goes beyond mere decoration or entertainment. These paintings hold significant ritual purposes and are deeply rooted in the cultural and spiritual beliefs of the tribe. In this article, we will explore the unique characteristics of Lanjia Saura wall paintings, their symbolic meanings, and the conservation efforts needed to preserve this valuable cultural heritage. To placate the gods and spirits, the Saura craft intricate wall paintings are known as ita/ons or idita. These icons sketch human forms alongside modern images like airplanes and bicycles, interwoven with plants, animals, and natural features. Each painting aims to flatter specific gods or ancestors so they spare the associated families. As circumstances shift, icons may be refreshed or substituted pending the conduct of the god or ancestor. The unique paintings demonstrate the artistic prowess of Lanjia Saura shamans and artisans.
Format and Dimensions:
The format resembles a square or rectangle, occasionally partitioned into sections by the artist to accommodate the figures. Length, width, and height range varies from 45 cm to 2 meters. The scale of human and animal forms varies based on the overall size.
Natural Pigments and Binding Agents:
The Saura source all pigments from natural resources, like ashes or rice flour for white, charcoal or burned coconut for black, grounded turmeric for yellow, Vermilion/Sindoor, and indigo for red and blue. Water mixed with a tamarind seed glue binds the ingredients. For focal points, artists sparingly incorporate black, red, blue, or yellow pigments against the customary white background or simply white on with a dark background.
Ceremonial Wall Paintings: A Unique Tradition:
Harry Verrier Holman Elwin (1951) known for his study of tribes in India, categorized these icons into seven types-
Promote crop fertility, Avert disease, Assist childbirth, Honor tutelary deities/ ishta-devatas and devi, Honor the dead, For those abroad or out to cities and towns, and depict hills and shrines
Symbolism in Wall Paintings: A Visual Language
Animals: Animals depicted in the paintings represent food sources, useful species, or potential threats. For example, tigers may symbolize the dangers that the tribe faces in their environment.
Fertility Goddesses: Often portrayed as women with pots on their heads or associated with plants and trees, fertility goddesses symbolize the tribe's connection to nature and their desire for abundant crops and healthy offspring.
Peacocks: Peacocks are depicted as watchmen on top of houses, representing protection and vigilance.
Monkeys: Monkeys climbing trees symbolize the tribe's harmonious relationship with the natural world.
Celestial Bodies: The sun, moon, and stars are typically placed at the top of the paintings, signifying the tribe's reverence for the celestial realm.
Forest deities - Shown with bows, arrows, spears, deer, axes, knives
Artistic Patterns and Motifs: Aesthetic Language of Saura Art of Odisha
Lanjia Saura wall paintings (Locally called Kathi Chitra) are characterized by distinct artistic patterns and motifs that contribute to their aesthetic appeal. Some of the notable ones include:
Triangles: Triangles are used to depict human figures in the paintings, showcasing the artist's skill in capturing the human form using simple geometric shapes.
Spots/Dots: These are used to illustrate various elements such as eyes, breasts, and decorative patterns like house roofs and spotted deer fur.
Double Outlines: Double outlines are employed to provide intricate details of human and animal body parts, emphasizing the morphology and intricacy of these forms.
Other motifs: Aquatic animals and reptiles, Domestic animals, Wild animals, Birds, insects
Natural symbols like hills and mountains, Geometric structures, Architecture, and vehicles
Conservation Concerns
Preservation and Recommendations by Safeguarding Tribal Art
Modernization threatens the cultural heritage and livelihoods of the Saura tribe, renowned for their artistic wall paintings. As lifestyles, economies, and technologies shift, the practice of this traditional art form has steeply declined. Urbanization also endangers the physical spaces where this art once flourished. Saura's identity risks erosion. Notably, with changes in lifestyle and digital technology, there has been a steep decline in wall paintings from 30% in 1990 to just 2% in 2009, emphasizing the urgency of preservation
Conservation efforts must empower Saura artisans with sustainable opportunities that respect their dignity. Initiatives can enhance capacities, utilize digital platforms (check out in inheritedcraft.in), promote cultural tourism, document techniques, and transmit generational knowledge. By fostering community ownership, striking collaborations, and raising awareness, a balance can be achieved between preserving heritage and embracing progress. This allows the unique beauty of Saura art to enrich India’s cultural tapestry for generations to come.
Conclusions
A Journey into Primitive Behaviour, Safeguarding Echoes of Shared History
The exquisite yet fading Saura wall paintings encapsulate more than cultural identity. They contain a wealth of tribal insights and reflect humankind's intrinsic creative stirrings. As modernization threatens these masterpieces, narratives of nature, spirituality, and cultural evolution risk being lost. Beyond urgent conservation, preserving this unique artistic language safeguards a living archive of Saura heritage. In the geometric patterns and deliberate symbology, one glimpses creative expression as an early human language - communicating beliefs, rituals, and community. Just as their art offered the Saura a medium of internal connection, engaging with their visual heritage now illuminates our shared human past.
To champion these masterpieces is to be stewards of tradition, creativity, and insight that echoes through time. Within the beauty of Saura art lies a reminder - in preserving glimpses of our interconnected histories, the path to a mutually enriching future opens.
This dance is performed by people of the Sabar/Lanjia Saura Tribe from Odisha.
The folk dance is named as Ghudka dance as the main instrument used during the dance is called 'Ghudka' - this is a one-foot cylindrical frame covered on one side with hide (usually mongoose or monkey hide)
This instrument is made of thin rope through its center held by the player under their left armpit, which when struck produces a distinctive sound.
Some of the characters like Monkey, hen, and others present in the dance can be seen in their artwork.
Great post about this art style.
Also, I have a question what's the difference between Saura and Wa😍rli art style?