In the rugged, red-soil terrains of Purulia, Bankura, Birbhum, Jhargram in Bengal and the rolling plateaus of Jharkhand, Odisha and Assam, the winter wind brings more than just a chill. It carries the melancholic yet celebratory strains of Tusu Gaan.
Tusu Parab or Tusu Festival is a harvest festival and a cultural assertion of the agrarian communities, primarily the Kurmis, Santhals, and other tribes, celebrating womanhood, the harvest, and the folk spirit.
Celebrated throughout the month of Poush during December-January and culminating on Makar Sankranti, Tusu is a festival of the people, rooted entirely in the soil they till and the songs they sing.
The Legend of Tusu Mani
The origin of Tusu Parab is shrouded in a mist of folklore that blurs the line between a deity and a historical figure. Tusu is worshipped as a distant goddess. She is treated as a daughter, a friend, and a confidante.
The Princess and the Mughal King
One prevalent story tells of Tusu Mani, a beautiful princess or a village maiden of the Kurmi community. As the story goes, a Mughal emperor (or a local tyrant in some versions) became enamored with her beauty and demanded her hand in marriage.
To save her honour and the dignity of her community, Tusu refused. A fierce conflict ensued, leading to the loss of many lives. Eventually, to escape capture and preserve her chastity, Tusu sacrificed herself by jumping into the river. The festival also honours her sacrifice and spirit.
The Potter's Daughter
Another poignant tale describes Tusu as the daughter of a potter who fell in love with a prince. However, their union was doomed by social hierarchy or tragedy, leading to her death.
In this version, the festival becomes a mourning of lost love, symbolized by the immersion of her idol, akin to a funeral procession for a beloved daughter.
The Worship of the Last Sheaf
Tusu Parab is intrinsically linked to agriculture. The rituals begin with the Dinimai, the last stack of paddy left in the field after the harvest. The head of the household ceremoniously brings this sheaf home, and it is established as Tusu.
The Month of Tusu Gaan
Throughout the month of Poush, unmarried girls gather every evening to worship Tusu. The chief priestess is usually the eldest woman of the household or the group of girls themselves. The offerings are simple field produce: rice, flowers, and cow dung balls known as Gobar Tusu. These balls are often decorated with flowers and paddy, representing the fertility of the land. The primary ritual is music.
The girls sing Tusu Gaan, folk songs that are spontaneous and oral, passed down through generations. These songs are often deep and philosophical, touching upon the hardships of life, the sorrow of a bride leaving her home, and the social issues of the day.
The Choudal Procession
The grand finale occurs on Makar Sankranti. Villages come alive with the construction of Choudals, elaborate, temple like structures made of bamboo and coloured paper. These vary from small, handheld shrines to towering structures that require several men to carry.
These Choudals often represent a marriage of the Tusu idol to the river or a symbolic groom. In some regions, a Tusu mela is held where different villages compete to bring the most magnificent and tallest Choudal, some reaching heights of 20 to 30 feet.
On the final day, singing groups carry the Tusu idols, often represented by clay dolls or pots, inside the Choudals to the nearest river or waterbody like the Kangsabati or Subarnarekha. The immersion is not a tragic goodbye but a tearful send-off to a daughter returning to her husband's home.
The Tusu Duel
In many villages, Tusu Gaan takes the form of a musical duel. Two groups of women face off, improvising lyrics to outwit one another. These battles can last for hours and often include sharp social satire.
The Flower Bond
During the festival, girls often perform a ritual called Phul-Patano, where they pick a flower friend. They exchange flowers and promise to remain friends for life, often addressing each other by the name of the flower they exchanged rather than their own names.
Linguistic Melting Pot
While the core of the festival is among the Kurmis and Santhals, the songs are sung in a unique blend of Bengali, Kudmali, and Panchpargania, reflecting the diverse heritage of the Chota Nagpur plateau.
Costumes and Ornamentation
The visual vibrancy of Tusu Parab comes from the traditional attire of the women, particularly from the Santhal and Kurmi communities.
Panchi and Parhan: This is the traditional two-piece dress worn by tribal women. The Parhan is the lower garment, a wrap-around skirt often in white with a red border, while the Panchi is the upper garment draped over the shoulder.
Santhali Sarees: Women also wear distinct Santhali sarees, characterized by their coarse but comfortable cotton texture, checked patterns, and wide, prominent borders.
Jewelry: The look is completed with heavy, traditional jewelry. You will see the Hansuli (a rigid silver neck collar), Pagra (large upper-ear earrings), and Baju (armlets). Silver and bell-metal anklets (Pajeb) chime in rhythm as the women dance in groups during the procession.
The Taste of Harvest
As a harvest festival, food plays a central role. The freshly harvested rice is the star ingredient.
Pitha: No Tusu celebration is complete without Pitha (rice cakes). Households prepare various types, such as Gud Pitha (jaggery stuffed), Dudh Puli, and Bhaja Pitha (fried rice cakes).
Til Laddoos: Since the festival coincides with Makar Sankranti, sesame and jaggery sweets are essential to keep the body warm in winter.
Khichdi: On the final day, community feasts often feature Khichdi, a mix of rice, lentils, and winter vegetables, served on leaf plates.
Muri and Gur: Puffed rice (Muri) mixed with liquid jaggery is a humble yet beloved snack offered to visitors.
Conclusion
Tusu Parab is more than a date on a calendar. It is the heartbeat of Eastern India's tribal belt. It is a festival that places a young girl's narrative at its centre, celebrating her courage, her beauty, and her connection to the earth.
As the paper Choudals float away down the river and the winter sun sets on the Chota Nagpur Plateau, the songs of Tusu remain, echoing the eternal bond between the farmer, the land, and the memory of a legendary daughter.
