Marwari College celebrates Karam festival eve with vibrant tribal and regional performances

Marwari College, Ranchi, came alive with the colours of Jharkhand’s tribal and regional traditions as the Department of Tribal and Regional Languages organised a lively ‘Karam Purva Sandhya’ on Monday, featuring traditional songs, dances and cultural performances by students.

College Principal Dr Manoj Kumar inaugurated the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp and extended greetings to the people of Jharkhand on the occasion of Karam, one of the state’s important festivals celebrating the bond between nature, community and human life.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kumar highlighted the cultural as well as scientific significance of Karam festival and said its traditions underline the close relationship between people and nature. He encouraged students to remain connected with their language, culture and traditions and appreciated the performances by students of the department.

Former head of the department and Dean of Student Welfare Dr Vrindavan Mahto narrated the traditional story of Karma-Dharma, explaining the folk beliefs associated with the festival and their emphasis on the relationship between human beings and nature.

Department head Dr Khatir Hemrom, in his welcome address, said that the rapid pace of modern life was gradually distancing people from their language, culture and traditional attire. He stressed the importance of remaining connected with one’s roots and described the Karam branch as a symbol of honesty and strength.

The cultural programme brought together students from several tribal and regional language departments. Students of the Mundari department presented a welcome song and highlighted the significance of fasting during Karam. Students of the Kurukh department performed the traditional Karam dance, conveying a message of love for nature and the importance of greenery.

Nagpuri department students presented songs and dances emphasising the need to maintain a close relationship with nature. Through their performance, they also conveyed wishes for happiness, prosperity and well-being, drawing on the symbolism of the blooming kans grass associated with the season.

Newly appointed professor Dr Vishnu Pad Mahato captivated the audience with a Kurmali Karam song. Through the traditional song, he highlighted the custom of women observing a fast during Karam and praying for the happiness and prosperity of their families.

Kurukh faculty member Dr Sumanti Tirkey also presented a traditional Kurukh Karam song depicting the close relationship between nature and human life. Her performance carried a message of protecting greenery and continuing to grow and prosper like the Karam branch.

A folk dance performance by Mundari students emerged as one of the highlights of the programme. The celebrations became even more participatory when teachers and non-teaching staff joined the students on stage for a collective dance, creating a festive atmosphere across the campus.

The programme was conducted by Assistant Professor of Kurmali Dr Ashok Kumar Mahto, while Dr Awadh Bihari Mahto proposed the vote of thanks.

Former department head Dr Maheshwar Sarangi, Dr Bahalen Horo, Sangeeta Tigga, Jura Horo, Dr Amit Kumar, Dr Rahul Kumar, Jaiprakash Rajak, Santosh Rajwar and Shivnandan, along with faculty members, staff and a large number of students, attended the event.