The Goddess of Folk

The coffeetable book, ‘Goddess of Folk - Sammakka Saralamma Jatara’ sums up the 1000-year-old mystique and legend that surrounds one of the greatest folklores known to mankind

“We need to learn from established traditions and practices of people. Everything is a wonder, unique and an adventure in life. It is similar when one talks of Sammakka Saralamma Jatara at Medaram”. In that simple, but awe-inspired, observation, celebrated filmmaker-sculptor-writer, B Narsing Rao sums up the essence of the presumed 1000-year-old mystique, and legend, that surrounds one of the greatest folklores known to mankind, in his latest magnum opus, ‘Goddess of Folk - Sammakka Saralamma Jatara’.

The 288-page pictorially, and profoundly, depicted coffee book was released during this year’s overflowing festivities that symbolise the world’s largest tribal religious assemblage. Inspired by the success of ‘Art@Telangana’ that documented one hundred years of art in Telangana State, Narsing Rao, as the chief editor, has come out with a hard-bound book that should come in handy not only to historians, anthropologists, research scholars and students but to all those keen on knowing about the euphoric celebration, its origins, legacy et al, which, collectively, put an obscure village in Warangal district on the global map.

There is nothing ethereal to the presentation because it is an honest attempt to getting close to identifying the possible reasons behind the hero-worshipping by the ever grateful lot that keeps multiplying. Narsing Rao is known for his penchant to bring out ordinary human life and all the corresponding mundane emotions with an extraordinary natural dexterity in his craft. True to speak, ‘Goddess of Folk’ also belongs to that very sublime genre.

It is an artistic portrayal of the centuries-old emotional bondage, and sentiment, that is getting passed on to generations of tribals, most of whom may not even be aware of the historical perspective to the belief. To them it is a matter of faith. Absolute and unequivocal faith that is closest to their hearts. It is this underlying trust in their Goddesses that has been extolled in the book, which makes for more than a mere interesting read.

One should appreciate B V Papa Rao and Prof. M Pandu Ranga Rao, the Trustees of Kakatiya Heritage Trust, for commissioning a compilation of this magnitude to the champion of parallel cinema and his team. They have delivered a product that will possibly rekindle the minds of the worshippers and ‘awaken’ that of the non-believers.

There has been many a contradictory version pertaining to the saga of the gutsy mother and her equally courageous daughter, who revolted against the then prevailing societal order so as to uphold the self-respect of fellow-tribals, who were victims of constant oppression by rulers of every ilk and a society that was under elitist stranglehold.

Given the myriad theories and interpretations that have been floating around since long, there can be no conclusive end to the debate, although the aura of the mother-daughter duo assumes larger-than-life proportions with each Jatara. That an estimated 1.4 crore frenzied people witnessed this year’s hysterical celebrations evidences the cult-like belief in the supreme powers of the ‘deities’.

By declaring the biennial event as a State festival that attracts millions of non-tribals also, the policy-makers have rendered a noble service to the generally ignored sections. There are instances where the chapters recount the happenings based on information and narrations gathered by historians and those who have spent a lifetime going deep into this inexplicable subject, one that continues to unite tribals of every hue.

It is in the fitness of things that the publishers have acknowledged inputs provided by three descendent families of Sammakka and also that of Saralamma. This is a very realistic exercise in correlating the available data, inscriptions, manuscripts, rare and exclusive photographs (most of which have been reproduced) which add substance to the text and also into establishing the facts, per se.

The iconic multiple award-winning filmmaker has neither added any theatrical cosmetic gloss nor has he given any judgmental pronouncements. In a way, the work is a befitting salutation to women empowerment and women power.

Given that the sea of humanity is a photographer’s delight, it is a good augury that a major portion of the book has been earmarked for pictures that have been laboriously compiled from multiple sources. The breathtaking depictions in black and white (as also the coloured ones) capture the expressive intensity of the transfixed devout, who knows of nothing else during those days of ‘heavenly’ bliss.

To them, the Jatara transcends mortal beliefs and helps them achieve nirvana of the divine kind. Taken as an authenticated work of art, one must not read too much into the price tag (Rs 3, 000). To those into Harry Potter, and the likes, this may sound as a purchase that is beyond fantasy but to people who matter, ‘Goddess of Folk - Sammakka Saralamma Jatara’, is a “must possess” collector’s copy that is priceless.