It is the beginning of Bhadra-month in Bengali calender. Up land rice in the hilly areas is ready for harvest. Bhumij- a tribe of early settler in Chotonagpur plateau who are in numbers in Baghmuni, Barabhum, Manbazar and other parts of Purulia would celebrate festivals in sequence. They will perform age long Karam first followed by an another colorful occasion named InD. The air will be bustled with folk-songs:
" Ind tanre eind othe
Chata tanre chata othe
Ogo kasi tanre basir sabdo"
The ind-flag is raised in the ind-ground, umbrella is raised in the chata tanre, flutes are ringing in the banks of Kasai0river. In the Bhumij dominated areas there are specific grounds marked for ind-festival as well as chata0festival. On the 11th day of Bhadra, immediate after the Karam festival, ind starts and it is one day event.
There is no history or documents witnessing the start of this festival. Again, there are different opinions on the ind-concept across places.
According to someone, the term ind means " My festival" in Mundari language, It is the festival of celebrating coronation of the king. Chotonagpur was ruled by Munda0tribe long long back. Mangra Munda was a powerful king . When he became too aged ,he desired to relinquish his chair, and wanted to make Mani Mukut as the successor. On the very day, a royal procession participated by his subjects met in an open ground. A white umbrella symbolizing the crown was raised far above amidst chanting,music and merry dancing. To memorize the historical event, the tribal celebrate ind.. This type of observing is still in vogue in Jharkhand where Mundas dominate. It is now a state level festival in Jharkhand.
Another version is ,ind connotes the name of Debraj Indra, the deity of clouds and rains, On this day people assemble and seek the blessings of Indra for good rain for good harvest. As now, indra puja is done during ind-festival ,the event has become universal and not limited to any particular sect.Both tribal and non-tribal participate in ind-program.
In course of time, Ind festival got patronage from kings,chiefs, zamindars etc. In khatra, on this day a log of sal is erected traditionally by the Raj0family. The sacred sal is worshipped in the name of Lord Indra. Thereafter, a white flag is hoisted. The white flag symbolizes the tradition of raj0tantra. Worshiping Indra is still now performed by the raj0family of Jhargram.
Similarly, in Barabhum of purulia Ind is celebrated in a majestic way.
In Baghmundi, there is ind-tare where festival is held at matha. In kalimati, there are the clans of Dolgobinda Sing, dinabandhu Sing who represented as powerful Mankis. Mankis were the Zamindars of 12 mouzas or villages. Now Mankis have lost their Zamindari but did not lose their dignity. The inherited clan still hoists flags and worship lord indra. It may be mentioned here that the umbrella is raised in convex-shape. This is in contrast to Chata parab where umbrella is raised in normal form by the King. This is to me a submission to the King by the Mankis who were subordinates to the King.
However, people of manbhum waits for the the day. This reminds the popular adage :
, " রুয়াঁই খুজে বাতাশ অার, নাড়ায় খুজে ইন্দ।"
fragments of cotton are floated by air, similarly the poor floats in Ind.
ind is the merry day to manbhum residents.
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