Bengal
is a state known for its diverse cultural heritage.
From the grand Durga puja to the traditional Tusu
festival, to explore the joy and history associated with these, you
will have to walk down to this state. However while festivals like Durga Puja
is well known to people dwelling in every corner of the Earth, those
like Tusu are limited only to the regional groups. Interestingly this Tusu
festival is an important harvest festival which is celebrated only by women of
all age group in several parts of Eastern India along the Chhota Nagpur belt
including Purulia, Medinipur, Bankura and some parts of Jharkhand, Odisha and
Bihar.
Commencement and culmination of Tusu Parob
Tusu
being one of the highly popular and largest of all traditional village
festivals celebrated in West Bengal commences from to last day of Agrahyan-the
8th month of the Bengali calendar and continues all throughout Poush
(the 9th month). It finally culminates on the day of Makar Sankranti
which is known as the last day of the month of poush. Makar Sanskriti also is
the last day of winter harvest with which the agricultural year ends. In this context
it is essential to know that although Tusu Parob is a month long celebration
but it is the last 3 days of Poush which are most important for those willing
to explore the ethnicity of this festival. This is because on these three days
the major part of the celebration is carried out.
Food and fair enhances the festive mood…
Talking
of the interesting facts associated with Tusu Parob, the prime one is the creation
of Tusu structures followed by carrying out the rituals, song and dance
performance by the tribal group. The food and fair further enhances the ambience.
As because this festival ends with Makar Sanskranti, “Patisapta and pulli
pithas” are the must have delicacies of Tusu parob. On this note, the immersion
of Tusu structures cannot be missed out as well. The spirit with which this
festival is celebrated is tempting enough to force one being its part again and
again.
