Adivasis’ traditional play 'Khodang' (Koyya Gurralu in Telugu), walking on stilts made of bamboo, is gradually disappearing from the memory of people with pucca roads being laid to interior villages. (Image: DC)
Adilabad: Adivasis’ traditional play 'Khodang' (Koyya Gurralu in Telugu), walking on stilts made of bamboo, is gradually disappearing from the memory of people with pucca roads being laid to interior villages.
People used to walk with 'Koyya Gurralu' in villages to cross the slush and stagnated water to avoid contracting seasonal diseases during rainy season.
Children are seen playing ‘Khodang’ in tribal villages in a few pockets including in Khairdatva in Narnoor mandal, Lokari in Gadiguda mandal, Mattadiguda in Utnoor mandal and Gangapur in Indravelli mandal. These bamboo stilts are kept outside their houses and are not allowed inside during Sravanmas.
The Adivasis called the play Khodang which means hoarse in Gondi language. They made the bamboo sticks in such a way that children can stand on the supporting piece of stick attached to the bamboo. Adivasi children walk on stilts balancing themselves on them.
The tradition is also a reflection of Adivasis' connection to the nature and forest. The Adivasis start their traditional Khodang play with Chukkala Amavasya during Sravanma and end it with Polala Amavasya.
The Adivasis collect bamboo after performing a special puja on the bamboo tree on Chukkala Amavasya and make the stilts to play the game and walk with stilts.
Twenty years ago, teenagers and children were seen walking with the stilts made of bamboo in their villages, playing with them and crossing slush in their villages.
Now, one can rarely see children and teenage people playing with bamboo walking stilts and this tradition is now confined to a few pockets of tribal areas.
These walking stilts are popularly known as ‘Marugollu’ in villages.
Adivasi teacher Todasam Kailash of Adilabad said Khodang play is gradually disappearing from Adivasis’ life in rural and tribal areas due to many reasons including laying the pucca roads in the villages and non-availability of bamboo trees due to deforestation. Even many students and elders are not showing interest in the play, he added.
He said Khodang play prevented the spread of seasonal diseases to some extent by preventing contract with the virus.
Kailash said students of Gangapur walk on bamboo stilts to avoid walking in the slush while coming to Gaurapuram village in Indravelli mandal to attend government school during rainy season.
Children are seen playing ‘Khodang’ in tribal villages in a few pockets including in Khairdatva in Narnoor mandal, Lokari in Gadiguda mandal, Mattadiguda in Utnoor mandal and Gangapur in Indravelli mandal. These bamboo stilts are kept outside their houses and are not allowed inside during Sravanmas.
The Adivasis called the play Khodang which means hoarse in Gondi language. They made the bamboo sticks in such a way that children can stand on the supporting piece of stick attached to the bamboo. Adivasi children walk on stilts balancing themselves on them.
The tradition is also a reflection of Adivasis' connection to the nature and forest. The Adivasis start their traditional Khodang play with Chukkala Amavasya during Sravanma and end it with Polala Amavasya.
The Adivasis collect bamboo after performing a special puja on the bamboo tree on Chukkala Amavasya and make the stilts to play the game and walk with stilts.
Twenty years ago, teenagers and children were seen walking with the stilts made of bamboo in their villages, playing with them and crossing slush in their villages.
Now, one can rarely see children and teenage people playing with bamboo walking stilts and this tradition is now confined to a few pockets of tribal areas.
These walking stilts are popularly known as ‘Marugollu’ in villages.
Adivasi teacher Todasam Kailash of Adilabad said Khodang play is gradually disappearing from Adivasis’ life in rural and tribal areas due to many reasons including laying the pucca roads in the villages and non-availability of bamboo trees due to deforestation. Even many students and elders are not showing interest in the play, he added.
He said Khodang play prevented the spread of seasonal diseases to some extent by preventing contract with the virus.
Kailash said students of Gangapur walk on bamboo stilts to avoid walking in the slush while coming to Gaurapuram village in Indravelli mandal to attend government school during rainy season.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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