Ancient Adivasi Bharat had reached certain level of social and cultural level of growth at one time. In the sacred books of the Hindus such as Ramayana, Mahabharata, Upnishadas, Puranas, Kathasaritsagara and other writings of the Princely states, oral traditions, etc, we do get many reliable records and references social, cultural and political heritage of the prideful Adivasi Bharat...... The original composer of the Adi Ramaya was Adi Kavi Valmiki Bhil an eminent poet of Adivasi community in Western India. Similarly, Shabari Bhilni according to Tulsidas Ramaya was parangat (expert) in Shastras (sacred books of the Hindus). Not only this, when Rama the son of King Dashrath was exiled (nirvasist) in forest, Shabari Bhilni welcomed him in her ashram and she became his host, offering him well tested bores (Bhil fruits) by her own tongue. What a status she had and what a great value of hospitality which is still found among the Bhils and other Adivasi communities of India. Surprisingly this is not found among many non Adivasi communities. In the Sanskritic literatures we find very many such references where the original Adivasi cultures, learning’s and art, of the Bhils and other tribes had reached to the heights and later by the social, cultural, political aggressions, attacks and other invaders the Bhils and other deshaj or indigenous peoples were regressed to a very low levels from where they are not able to rise today.
Shabari Kala Mandal of the Bhils in India is but one attempt to culturally make aware the Bhils and other tribes of their prideful and royal cultural heritage of their remote past. Shabari Kala Mandal has trained Adivasi artists of Bhil and other communities in the classical arts of Bharat Natyam, Kathak, Hindustani Sangeet, Indian and tribal folk dances, folk singing and folk Music of India. Besides the singing and performing art, the Shabari Kala Mandal is also working in the line to innovate, preserve and promote the tribal paining, wood carving, weaving, bead ornaments, tattoos, folk-plays, folk-games, wall paintings like Pithora, folk literatures of the tribes in India.
In the long run this will enhance tribal views and world views in India and help them, in neglected social and cultural human rights or Adivasi/tribal human rights in the country. In the ancient India the tribals had well reached certain level of the social and cultural development in the country which in the course of time, due to the social and cultural discrimination which is very much in the Indian society today, the tribal India regressed instead of making progression. What is Indian knowledge today in the form of higher learning is certainly had been of the Bhils, shabars, Gonds, Mundas, Khadia and Santhals and many regressed other tribes of today. It is a matter of serious research and some universities in India and abroad, good to note are working along this line and many more serious scholars should come forward to restore the lost heritage and humanity of ancient Adivasi India. This will bring in justice, humanitarian service, restore Adivasi human rights, instead of snatching away what they have today under the pretention of national integration and development.
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