THE KORKUS

SHUBHADEEP MUKHERJEE
The ethnography of the Indian subcontinent offers a kaleidoscopic pattern of multiple tribal societies that coexisted amidst all disruptions and confrontations in their own archaic manner. It was not all unicorns and roses for these aborigines even before the encryption of present day concrete structures.The diaspora of these tribes commenced with the invasion of the Aryans and has been forever recurrent.
Whilst some have gone extinct, few are battling against the rapid advancements of civilisation, the Korkusbeing one of them. I am a wildlife researcher turned a visual storyteller. I have found stories in all my endeavours and connections. Stories and instances of people fighting against the odds to earn livelihood and make ends meet have always accelerated my interest. The camera is my closest kin, the best escapade for the introvert in me and photography is my passion. The world through the lenses triggers my neurons. I came across the Korkus and the vibrancy of their culture during the initial days of my work life while working as a Field Biologist in the rugged terrains of Central India. Korkus are a part of the Kolarian tribe.  Presently restricted to the Central Indian landscape, these primitive hunter-gatherers are one of the true connoisseurs of Nature, to whose estimation every part of their soil is sacred and every plant possesses a medicinal value. Followed is a series of photographs that document the life of the ancient Korku tribe. As we proceed further, there are a few important aspects of the Korku culture that one must know.
Like the Chief Seattle had once spoken, ‘To us the ashes of our ancestors are sacred and their resting place is hallowed ground.’ What makes me recollect this phrase is an eerie similarity that I have found between the two tribes, albeit centuries apart. The Korkus have come to burning their dead today, being forced to cater to the religious aspects of existence. Their tradition, however, happens to bury the dead, the reason being, the belief that man has emerged from the bosoms of Mother Earth and shall submerge in her.
Though much of Korku religious customs are influenced due to acculturation, shades of their aboriginality is still seen. As there is a subtle mix of cultures, it is indeed a painstaking effort to delineate the aboriginal religious beliefs and practices that have survived till this day.
It is sad to see that the Korku heritage is gradually approaching its death despite the fact that they are one of Nature's closest associates. What we call superstition, they call consciousness. They are one amongst us but what make them a stand out is their pristine connection to Mother Nature.
[A special mention of Mr. Prakash Michael and Mrs.Seema Prakash, SpandanSamajSevaSamiti (www.spandan4change.in) who are working over a decade with the Korkus towards bettering their lives. Without their help and support in the field, this story would not have seen the light of the day.Image and Text Credit: Shubhadeep Mukherjee (www.shubhadeepmukherjee.com)]