Not
just the name but also the rituals related to Tusu festival are highly
enticing. Talking of Purulia, Goddess Tusu is welcomed here with songs sung by
women. They wake up early morning, keep fast, get the household chores done and
then go ahead with the rituals of this puja. Specially on the eve of Makar Sankranti,
they keep a fast and sing throughout the night. The older tusu songs usually are
known as “fertility songs”. Through these songs people plead to goddess tusu
for a plentiful harvest. Though were sung in the older days, even today they
are popular for their plaintive melody. Interestingly, the older tusu songs
were not accompanied by any instruments.
Tusu Songs- How they were used years ago
According
to the tribal group here, these songs were popularly meant for offering respect
to Tusu. Known as “jagaran songs”, they were looked upon as a mode of awakening
her- the goddess of fertility and virgin unplanted earth. However, the traditional
belief that still prevails is that Tusu symbolizes a mother, friend, daughter, a lover and a
protector whom women can pour their hearts out to. Thus the older songs dealt
with welcoming the goddess and expressing to her their joys, sorrows, longings
as well as struggles.
Tusu Songs in the Modern age
[A group performing Tusu dance at a cultural event in Port Blair]
As
of the modern times, this concept has undergone wide change. Now they are used
for not just ritualistic reasons but
also for non -ritualistic purposes too- as protest against immorality,
political songs, commercial love songs and even as material for school level
competitions. Also the most notable change found with tusu songs of the modern
era is that they are now accompanied by instruments.
A current tusu song
adheres to the following imagery:
Tusu has picked up a sickle in her hand
And she is going to harvest that rice
which is grown with blood.
Landholders will come rushing up
[But] Tusu has courageously made up her mind
She holds the sickle with a firm grip
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