GHOTUL : The Communication Centre of Tribal Ethnic Group
Tribal dance, tribal song, tribal art and tribal music has played important role in the development of tribal community, it retains their spontaneous and spiritual joy of life. The folk songs are supplementary of folk dances. Presently folk arts ( Bison Horn Dance, Rela-Rilo songs, Dhokra Shilp, Mrida Shilp, Kasth Shilp) are greatly influenced by the advent of industrialization. These influences greatly harm the tradition and culture of tribals. The most important charecteristics of these tribes and the tribal culture is there antique and original institution or dormitories. In India there are various institutions in different tribal communities. In naga tribes Yakichuki, in bhutiya Rangbang, in urao Dhumkuriya, in munda Gatiyora, in bhuiya Dhangarbassa and in muriya called GHOTUL. These dormitories is important in the cultural communication point of view. By the study of these Dormitories we found that they are very much aware about the development of youth. Generally the tribal dormitories are the organisation of tribal people. The utmost duty of these dormitories is to impart and introduce the societal culture to youth and to make assure the mental development according to their culture. These Dormitories are prevalent in many parts of India. These organisations are the foundation of their unique cultural identity.
According to Mr.Majumdar- “In tribal the Youth dormitories are establish to enrich culture and customs under specific rules and regulations.” In India there are individual youth houses in every Tribal community like Muriya, Ghotiya, Urao, Munda, koynak but at present all youth houses are in declining stage. The importantce of Ghotul and such other organisations to save tribal language, culture and their tradition. But due to the influence of alien culture these traditional organisation are struggling for their survival and existence. Ghotul was like the educational institutes in which youth were trained for their future life by following their cultural norms. And all these social disciplined help in forming a sincere, productive and useful member of their clan and community. The working mechanism of the Ghotul is very intresting. They assembles to learn tribal language , tribal arts and Culture in Ghotul. Ghotul is an important source of knowledge in gond tribes. The gathering of all Ghotul members is a great symbol of social integrity. It is a myth that the god LINGO DEV has given the boon of the Ghotul to the tribal youth. At first god LINGO DEV taught arts of tribal music and dance in the Ghotul. God LINGO DEV had devine powers and he was the master of 18 musical instruments. The first gondi song was written and sung by the God LINGO DEV. So every members of the Ghotul pays their respect and devotion to the God LINGO DEV by following rules and regulation of the GHOTUL . God LINGO DEV had established the Ghotul for the upliftment of their community and the God LINGO DEV considered the Ghotul as an educational institute as well as place of worship where youths are introduced with their culture and tradition. The Ghotul teaches the humanity, affection and co-operation with other people of the society. The Ghotul also helps in financial purposes like cropping, harvesting, sheltering , to protect from wild animal terror and also other important welfare programmes.
The aim of the Ghotul to teach social, financial and spiritual values of life and to dissaminate the philosophy of God LINGO DEV. Hence the objectives of the Ghotul were to trained the tribal people to unite and educate. According to God LINGO DEV recreation by dancing and singing is not only one aim of gathering there. But dancing and singing is associated with their religion, customes and above all with their culture. In order to preserve the Indian ancient language and culture we must have a systematic, scientific, anthropological and communication study of tribal culture. The preservation of ancient tribal culture does not mean that they should not be educate but they should educate in their own primitive language.
The declination of the Ghotul causes great harm to tribal community and also the great Indian culture and tradition, because important motives of tribal institution like the Ghotul is to impart wisdom and knowledge. The government should initiate to preserve these tribal institute like the Ghotul and all other tribal languages like Gondi, halbi, Bhathri, Kuduk etc. because the roots of tribes is hidden in their own language, tradition and culture. And institutions like the Ghotul is the only sign of its presence. Government should make plans and programmes to connect these separated and alone community with national mainstream. The upliftment of tribal society is only possible with the betterment of tribal institution like The Ghotul. Communication of any state can be strong only by folk arts and language. Tribal language is developed and prosperous. It is proved by excavation in which we found many written material, coins etc. In Communication the traditional folk arts is the important medium of tribal communication. This traditional media is prosperous by song, dance, drama, play and emerges from folk arts. This medium establishes the moral victory of tribal people on tribal problem and their struggles. The events, incidents and problems of the tribal people is presented by folk arts.
In 19 th and 20 th century Indian tribal community had participated in freedom movement against Britishers by these traditional mediums. These tribal folk mediums are songs, drama, play, dance, puppet show etc. UNESCO writes in its reports In context of these traditional media that – “Traditional media can gather large audience for folk artist and also the traditional media can prospered and give variety to the subject of mass media.”
