The Contribution of Bodo culture to Indian Culture

Culture & Tradition: The Bodo community of India has its own cultural heritage since their early history of civilization. As a community, the Bodo’s have their own lifestyle that makes their culture charmful and keeps their own social history in the field of Indian Civilization. A national culture is the total manifestation of the cultures of the communities owned by the nation. The Bodo community being the co-shared of the Indian culture should have representation as well as proper protection in the national cultural heritage. This short of culturally national consensus should be sponsored by the National government itself in true sense. But, to speak the truth, the national as well as regional government of India fails to maintain this phenomenon practically in case of Bodo community .These are the non-government bodies viz. literature organizations, political, non-political organizations that move time to time for the survival as well as developed aspects of the Bodo culture.

The cultural heritage of the Bodo community in India reflection occurs since the pre-historic age. The epics, the puranas, the samhitas etc. which termed the Bodo as Kirates show the composite cultural life of India began from the first century A.D Kalhani’s famous “Rajtarangini” to the epic era quotes the princess Heremdi (called Hirimba in Aryan languages) of Dimapur. The then capital of the Kacharis as married to Bhima, the younger brother of Yudhisthira of Hastinapur. This type of intercaste marriage blended Bodo culture with Aryan culture and vice versa. The reign of Bana and Narakhasu (called Narakhow in Bodo) Lord Krishna’s union with Rukmini (Rusumdi in Bodo).The most beautiful daughter of the King Bhimsmak of Kundil Nagar played an important role in the contribution of the Bodo Culture to Indian culture. The contribution of the Bodo culture was conspicuous in the 7^thcentury during the reign of Bhaskar Varman.

The reference of Sangeet Ranakar and Kalika Purana may be cited to clarify the fact of the contribution. In these old treaties, there is a reference of Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva giving instruction to Bodo princess Usha in dancing and Usha in her true taught the same to “Gopies” of Dwaraka and Gopies later instruction it to the maidens of the Saurashtra Kingdom. There are also reference of Bodo Classical music at par excellence in Hiuen Tsang’s account of his travels in Kamrup ( the then Assam) and Bana Bhatta’s “Harsha Chartia”

Since the medieval history Bodos are used to call ‘Kachari’. The Kacharies were Aryanised in course of time and said to be Koch Rajbanshi, Saraniya etc. Naranarayan, the most powerful and honestly efficient king of Koch dynasty is such one of the examples. On the eve of a battle against Ahoms, the King was advised in dream by Bathou or Shadasiva to worship him “ Kherai Puja”. To make it understand in neat and clear, the direct English translation quoted in the book “Darrang Rajbangsavalee is given below”.

“Shadasiva appeared on the first night, and asked why be neglected his own custom, even now you dance in the Kacharies style, and I predicted and assure you, you will win”

Mahadeva disappeared, thus saying and the King came to his sense, and gathered the requirements. There was place of worship on the bank of the river Sonkosh, the Kherai Worship of Bodo-Kachari was arranged there by the King collecting experts from Bodo-Kachari community.

The necessary materials for Kherai Puja as like Ducks ,Pigeon, rice, wine, chickens, buffalos, pigs and goats and all were served in abundance in the name of God “Bathou”. And amidst these, the dance went, on with the beating of Madal drums and postures of the deodhai.

Now bathou(almighty) Puja has been carried out by the Kacharies leaving the Kherai institution aside. So, it is quite evident that King Naranarayan to adore Shiva prepared Kherai institution. Not only for his occasion, but has been found also the Kherai institution to be customary in the kings dynasty. This is the another manifestation of the Bodo’s culture which ultimately leads the same being blended into Aryan culture.

The Ojah place – dance, sankari or satriya dance’ of Assam and many of the dances of India also have been found either originated from Bodo Dance or deeply influenced. The present “Hunchari Institution of Assam is also said to be originated from Kachari culture. The more light is thrown the more evidence will be exposed. Because the research I cal light is only the mighty spear to drive the darkness out. It is only the best witness to elicit the truth.

In recent times, the Bodo dance is usually called”Daudini Muchanai” gave rise to ‘Deodhani Nritya” prevalent in Assam.Such like dance held at Kamakhya temple in Guwahati during the festival of the same for consecutive three years and felt that these dances are nothing but a variant of the Bodo Doudini dances. Such phenomenon race the glorious past of the tribe and their culture. However, strictly speaking, the said claims have been made on mythological, historical and accountant events. Therefore to disclose the bare truth is the disclose of Bodo culture is the close of the master part of Indian culture.

Words by Dipak Swargiary