BOOK REVIEW

BOOK REVIEW

Lokoshilpey o Ganajagaroney Grambangla (Village of Bengal in the light of folk art and public awareness)

Shanti Sinha, Sakalbela Rabibar, 22 january, 2012, 7 magh, 1418, Page 4.

Getting the book on “Anti-Witch Movement of Purulia,” living in Purulia for 41 years, a special chapter came up in my mind.  The dense forests that encircle the mountains from Bandowan to  Maanbazaar, Hurakashipur, Baghmundi, Jhalda, Raghunathpur, Hetjari, Ragoonkodor, Barabazar, etc. and other remote areas, the densely populated area have superstitions of the Middle Age lifestyle.  It is a preplanned story of calling a woman as a witch and pointing some men as wizard in the public life.  We are against the dangerous social evil and a protest has been started once by Saradaprasad Kisku in Darikadoba village who was a teacher and poet.  Mahadev Hansda became their co-warrior, teacher-poet Gomosta Prasad Soren, Poet  Kalendra Mandi, Maheswar Besra, poet-dramatist Rupchand Hansda, teacher Manmoth Baskey, poet Baleswar Soren, etc. are the creative minded citizens.  Mahasweta Devi, a writer and a social worker from Kolkata, journalist Niranjan Haldar, in the style of a journalist Bikraman Nayar , journalist Lakshimdra Kumar Sarkar went to the spot many times.  Then the exploited tribals required support and he gave resignation and worked in the tribal regions of Purulia, Bankura and devoted his life in this work.  These incidences occurred 20 years ago.

Lakshimdra Kumar Sarkar was connected with the tribal development since then.  A service center has been set up in the red soils.  I have seen his social work through my own eyes.  He has written a documentary book  on anti-witch movement.   On the basis of a population census and by interviewing those who were exploited as witches, this is a true account.  In the trial of the murder of Lakshman Tudu, the verdict of Sudhir Milan Tudu in the court of Purulia, the leader of the anti-witch movement, the social unrest leading to the news  of Jagaran Soren, the biography of sarada Prasad Kisku and his letters have been  compiled in the book.  At the beginning of the book, the emergence of the Santals and their migration, hunting festival, folk belief on witch cult, the women’s right in Santal society and the history of the anti-witch movement has been explained in simple words along with photographs has been discussed.  Lakshimdra Kumar Sarkar   has been connected with tribal population for a long time and on the basis of population census, he wrote this book.  His dedication, honesty and personal touch is really praiseworthy.  In this type of primary source book, many editions are really painful.  I feel the future editions of the book will be better.  

PURULIAR DAINI BIRODHI ANDOLAN (THE ANTI-WITCH MOVEMENT OF PURULIA), LAKSHIMDRA KUMAR SARKAR, SANCHAYAN PRAKASHANI, Rs. 200.

LAKSHIMDRA KUMAR SARKAR--HIS LIFE AND ACTIVITIES BEFORE NGO

LAKSHIMDRA KUMAR SARKAR

Lakshimdra Kumar Sarkar was born on April 1, 1956.  He was born at Lohia Hospital in Kolkata. 

His mother is late Srimati Lakshmi Sarkar.  She was a housewife.  She was a social worker.  She loved to help poor people with food, clothes and money.  L.K. Sarkar was named by a reputed economist named Arun Ghosh. 

His father is  Manindra Kumar Sarkar and is now 82 years old.  He is working in the printing department in Aajkaal newspaper.  His father was a football player, singer and a fashionable person.  He had great aesthetic sense.  He had a good writing style.  He used to write the prefaces of books written by Bibhuti Chakraborty (DCDD) during the time of Siddhartha Shankar Roy. 

He received his primary education at Chittaranjan High School in Kasba.  He studied there upto class 12 and passed out higher secondary examination in 1974.  Then he studied Commerce at Charu Chandra College in 1976.  He did a diploma in journalism from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Calcutta.  He was trained in photography from Subrata Patranabish, Chief Photographer of Statesman.  He went to Delhi in 1977 and stayed at Daryaganj.  He worked as a Stenographer in Eastern Law House for one year upto 1978.  Then he shifted to journalism in 1978. 

Lakshmindra Kumar Sarkar worked as a freelance journalist in Sundarban.  During his travel to Sundarban, he got in touch with a large number of tribes living there and he was guided by Niranjan Haldar who was the assistant editor of the reputed newspaper called Ananda Bazaar.  He studied the tribes like Sardar, Oraon, Munda, Mahali, Santal, etc from close quarters.  During his stay in Sundarban, he wrote a novel “Jeevan Nadir Tirey.”  He studied the tribals of Bankura and Purulia from 1980. 

On March 25, 1981, he joined Aajkaal, a popular Bengali newspaper.  He wrote in a number of little magazines.  He organized rallies on different occasions during his service as a journalist from 1981 to 1990.  In 1993, he resigned from Aajkaal on October 1.  He fully devoted the rest of his life to the social welfare and upliftment of the tribals.  He started an organization for promoting the Bengali literature in Kolkata, which was named “The Progressive Federation of Bengali Literature and Culture.”  This organization was run for 10 years.  At present, he has an office of his NGO in Belghoria. 

TWO BOOKS OF LAKSHMINDRA KUMAR SARKAR

LAKSHMINDRA KUMAR SARKAR’S

AKHYATO GAYER PROKHYATO SHILPI (RENOWNED ARTIST OF AN UNKNOWN VILLAGE)

Padmasree

Gambhir Singh Mura

and

Chotanagpur’s

Sindhubala Devi

(Chyapi)

Picture:  Pranab Sikdar

Price:  Rs. 25/-

Padmashree Awarded Gambhir Singh Mura of Chou Dance and State Music, Drama Academy awarded Sindhubala Devi who is called Chotanagpur ‘bulbul’ (Chyapi).  Those who deal with folk culture, they know these personalities.  Mr. Lakshmindra Kumar Sarkar has researched on these two personalities very well.  He has collected many incidents of their lives.  He came to know the grief and anger of them.  There are also comments of some culture-minded people who know them well.  They are Subodh Basu Roy, Birinchi Kumar Dey, Dr. Shishir Mazumdar, Sraboni Chakraborty (researcher), G.M. Abubkar, Sanjib Sarkar etc.  Many pictures.  You will come to know the close relationship of the author with them.  This book is important to the researchers, it is equally important to the students and ordinary people.

To get the book, you need not pay in advance.  Please enlist yourself by sending your name and address.

There is a special rebate for the students of research institutions.

Childrens’ Books

Lakshmindra Kumar Sarkar’s

Still alive 116-year-old

SWADESHI DAKATH MOHAN (FREEDOM FIGHTER DACOIT MOHAN)

Price:  Rs. 20/-

Picture:  Debabrata Ghosh.

There are different types of pictures of Mohan Kheria in every pages.  The children would love to read it, and their parents would also think about Mohan.  After spending so many years of his life in this country, he is having difficult times in his old age.  He has been marked by the British as a ‘dacoit’ as he gave the side of the poor people.  The writer narrates the story of the dacoit in good and bad times.  Along with the author, Mohan Kisku also throws light on some remarkable incidents.

Contact:

R.B. Prakashani, 19/7A Pottery Road, Kolkata -15; P.O. Tangra.

Registered Office:  36/17, C.N. Ray Road, Kolkata – 700 039.

Branch Office:  Khatra, Vivekananda Road, Bankura – 722 140; opposite to Kansai Press.

SANTALI LANGUAGE AND ENVIRONMENT

DEBATE:  TOPIC

SANTALI LANGUAGE AND ENVIRONMENT

Seminar on Environmental Pollution held on 20 November 2000 at Paschimbanga Bangla Academy.  Rarh Bangla Sambad organised this seminar.  From left standing Shyamal De, a social worker, sitting Mrs. Saraswati Sarkar, a social scientist, Dr. Sankar Chakraborty, a social scientist, Amalendu Roy ,Ex-project director, Purulia district science centre and Amalesh Chowdhury, activist participated this seminar.

Aajkal’s report:  “The Position of Santali Language after 50 years of Independence: An important Seminar was organized on Saturday on Initiative of Individual, Society and Nation” and “Environment in Different View” at Pashchimbanga Bangla Academy.  The organizers are the representatives of people of Bengal “Rarh Bangla Sambad” and “Poribesh Chetana Samiti.”  The speakers on environment are Professor Amalesh Chaudhury, Nilotpal Dutta, Saraswati Sarkar, Shankar Chakraborty, Amalendu Ray, Dr. Subhendu Mukherjee and Shyamal Dey.  The speakers on Santali language are Dhirendranath Baskey, Gurucharan Murmu, Saradaprasad Kisku, Baidyanath Soren, Purnachandra Soren, Kushal Baskey, Subodh Hansda and Lakshimdra Kumar Sarkar.  Rabindra Sangeet was sung by Jayanti Soren.  The program took away everybody’s attention.

Aajkaal:  22 November 2000.

PEOPLE WHO HELPED MR. L.K. SARKAR

A REPORT OF VARIOUS PERSONALITIES OF DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES OF BENGAL AND BIHAR WHO HAVE BEEN CLOSE ASSOCIATES OF L.K. SARKAR APPRECIATING AND ALSO RENDERING A HELPING HAND IN HIS FIELD OF ACTIVITIES:

1.  Annada Sankar Roy.

2.  Nightingale of Chhotanagpur, Sindhubala Devi.

3.  Renowned Santali writer, editor and activist Mahadev Hansda.

4.  Sarada Prasad Kisku.

5.  Doman Sahu Samir.

6.  Gambhir Singh Mura (International Chhou Dancer).

7.  Dr. Srabani Sarkar (Chakraborty).

8.  Mahasweta Devi.

9.  Renowned singer Amar Pal.

10.  Film actor Anil Chatterjee (Anil Chatterjee read the book “Santali Bhasa-Lipi-O-Sahitya Charchar Eatibritta”).

11.  Renowned Santali author Basta Soren.

12.  Human activists of Bankura district.

13.  Journalists of Bankura district.

14.  Lok Kabi Adyaitta Kundu.

15.  Santali writer Gomosta Prasad Soren.

16.  Mahadev Hansda.

17.  Journalist Saghan Chattopadhyay.

18.  Pinaki Ranjan guha (journalist, Bartaman Patrika).

19.  Pannalal Ghosh (Editor, Saptahik Bartaman).

20.  Swadeshi Dakat Mohan Sabar (his age was 116).  In the year 1996, 28^th December, Mohan Sabar died.  His age was 121.

21.  Surya Sabar (eldest son of Mohan Sabar, near about 90 years old, living at Borda Sabar Colony near Mukutmanipur).

encouragement from mahasweta devi on Mr. Sarkar's achievement and other activities

I will be happy and interested to see many editions of the book –MAHASWETA DEVI

I am waiting for a long time to see this book of Lakshmindra Sarkar to get published.  This work has great importance.  Lakshimdra has done something that was not done before.  The belief of witch cult was not restricted to the adibasi society.  There is belief in witch cult and other superstitions in nontribal society and tantric methods are applied to ward off evil spirits.  The murders of people accusing them as witches are more in number in the Santal society and Ho society of Singhbhum.  In the last few years, the number has increased.  A vicious circle works in the murder of a witch.  Because behind the motive of every murder, there is grieve.  Along with it, the belief of witch cult is there.  The good news is that in the society of the tribals, a disbelief and the protest has started.

The noted Santal poet Saradaprasad Kisku is a brave fighter and a social worker.  For this reason, Saraprasad and his co-fighters had to pay a price and is still paying it.  Still they firmly believe in themselves.  If it happened in some other country, then Saradaprasad and his co-fighters would have been proudly recognized.  We do not know how to pay respect to the respected people.  People should be united to fight against witch cult.  On the basis of this book, ‘witch cult should be banned by law.’  This protest can also be done.    The socially conscious and scientific minded people will also take part.  I will be very happy to see many editions of the book and will be encouraged.

A DIFFERENT PROTEST

Written by Bikraman Nair

(Noted journalist-Anandabazar)

The people of West Bengal are aware of the anti-witch movement in Purulia.  The superstition of the Santals in Bengal and Bihar became significant.  The social scientists think there are two reasons behind it.  Firstly, this protest is to acquire political power.  Secondly, an aged poet is supporting the young protestors in the public protest.  Saradaprasad Kisku taught us how to go through the tough times and the Bengalis must learn a lesson from them and go back to their youth protest.

When Mr. Sarkar was young, he started the work of bridging the gulf between the tribals and the nontribals.  In spite of being their companion in good and bad times, they were still unknown to us.  The author’s book on ‘Santali Bhasha, Lipi O Sahityochorchar Eatibritto’ is an account of the language and culture of the Bengal’s biggest community.  It is an account of the history of the anti-witch movement of Purulia and a contemporary struggle in the tribal life.  Mr. Sarkar is the right person who has introduced us the ‘contemporary protest’ in the political atmosphere of West Bengal. 

In nine chapters, after the first chapter of emergence of witch, the public protest that started and the description has been given serially.  The murder of Jagaran Soren, the trial of Sudhir-Milan, through a peculiar cultural revolution, the inside story has been mentioned here.

The neglect of those living in the plains and the suspicion of the political workers – both of them ignored Sarada and his followers.  Among them Mahadeb Hansda and Rupchand Hansda are worth mentioning.  They have asked the society to wake up and they have incorporated science and logic.  We must know the story.  Other than this, more work needs to be done.  This history compels us to think in the right way.

The reports published in different newspapers, the letters of Saradaprasad Kisku, the leader of the protest and the report of PUCL  are the references of the book.

 

 

LAKSHMINDRA KUMAR SARKAR AND HIS ACHIEVEMENTS

He had set up organizations like Grameen Mahila Samiti, Human Resource Research Bureau, Sahitya Sanskrity Bashar, R.B. Sarkar Prakashani etc. Two new organizations will be inaugurated soon.  Adibasi Press Club and Adibasi Krishak Club with the help of NABARD.  We hope that Lakshimdra will be successful in his work.

Related to Culture

One Ray of Light

Written by Dolon Mitra

Published in Nandan, February 2004.

A ray of light has fallen travelling millions of light years.  Adibasi Press Club was created by a group of fighters.  A group of people who are hunter-gatherers living in a green environment deprived of traditional education. 

On January 11, 2004, I reached the Adibasi Press Club to attend the inauguration ceremony on 11 a.m. and the venue was Raipur Sabuj Sangha Club in the district Bankura.  The short statured man in round eyes with strings attached spectacles surrounding the head, with a French cut beard along with a big smile came forward.  Lakshimdra Kumar Sarkar introduced us to the general secretary Hanu Hansda.  Everybody was saying the same thing that the “Bharat Sarkar” never thought about us but Lakshimdra Sardar was thinking about me continuously.  He is going to take the responsibility of planning today and also for future plans.  Along with him, there are important intellectuals of the parties of Left Front government and Amiya Patra who are constantly thinking.  He is going to take the responsibility of today’s and future plan.  On June 30, 1855, Sidhu and Kanhu died in the fight against the British forces before 92 years of independence.  If somebody forgets to light a lamp on August 15, the tribals’ lamp on the muddy balcony on June 30 in “Hul Day” did not get extinguished and they keep it burning in the memory of the martyrs’. 

After 57 years of independence, we shot an arrow in the mouth of India to suggest that ‘though we are neglected, we are not taught to be lagging behind.’

The Santali language became a part of our Indian constitution in the 8^th toposhil.  Presently the Adibasi Press Club awarded the fighters of the language revolution and writers.

Among them the personalities who received the awards are:

1.   Salkhan Murmu (Chairman of All India Language Forum).

2.   Rupchand Hansda ( Chairman of All India Santali Writers Association).

3.  Kherowal Soren (Writer, awarded by Government of West Bengal).

Presently, in the meeting of the tribal society of the state, the invited speakers are:

1.   T.K. Lapaz (Well known Santali researcher and historian).

2.    Nityananda Hembrom (All India Majhi Madwa).

3.    Mondol Hembrom ( Noted Santali Linguist).

4.    Kartick Hansda (General Secretary, Adibasi Youth Association, West Bengal).

5.    Anthony Murmu (General Secretary, All India Language Forum, West Bengal Branch).

6.    T.C. Baskey (Secretary, Jiui Patrika).

7.    Sukumar Hembrom (Youth Representative).

8.    Bishambhor Mura  (Birosa Munda Death Anniversary Committee).

Besides them, the representatives of the organizations of Santali language and literature, respectable individuals, boatman, member of parganas, poet, secretaries of reputed journals and magazines were present.

There was an interaction between the tribal and the nontribal journalists.  A great revolution happened silently.

  

AAJKALER AYENA

Volume No. 27, Monday 6^th Baisakh, 1405.  20^th April, 1998.

AWARDED LAKSHMINDRA

Born in Kolkata.  Age 42.  He has researched on folk culture and tribes.  The two books that have created sensation among the tribes and the intellectuals are “Santali Bhasha, Lipi o Sahityacharchar Eatibritto” and “Puruliar Daini Birodhi Andolan.”  Some books related to tribal society are near to completion.  He left the fixed job of “Aajkaal” and he worked on the tribal society intensively for many years.  He had set up an organization at Khatra of Bankura district with hard work.  Khatra Adibasi Cultural and Development Center.  Along with the protection of the cultural heritage, he was actively involved in the economic development of the native people.  Mr. Sarkar who is a follower of Saradaprosad Kisku who first led the anti-witch movement, is a well known name.  Governor K.V. Raghunath Reddy had awarded him for his remarkable achievement.  Lakshindra Kumar Sarkar did not get any government help or grant.  Though he has a huge debt, he is still carrying on his work.  He trained the tribal boys and girls and published a full length newspaper.  He named it:  Adibasi Songbad.  It had to be stopped due to financial reasons.  Subsequently he published a monthly journal called “Rarh Bangla Songbad.”  Lakshimdra is engaged in developing branches of “Manimela” through that will help give moral education to the children.  He had to travel the mountains and roads of the villages in a bicycle.  For the self-employment of the old people, he has started workshops for training in handicrafts.  Lakshindra has set up the village women society.

remarkable successful achievements

Those of the Santals seems to warranty the conjecture that the main body of the caste, that is to say the group comprising the Bansphor, Sulunki and Tanti Mahalis is merely a branch of the Santals, separated at a comparatively recent date from the parent tribe.  The exact causes of the separation are of course, lost in the obscurity which enshroubs the early history of all tribal movements.  But the fact that the Mahalis make basket and carry palanquins, occupations which every santal would deem degrading, suggests to the formation of the new group.  The Mahali-Munda possibly parted from the Munda tribe for similar reasons.  So this Sushil Mahali live in Kurebankra village, P.O. Darshole and P.S. Khatra, district Bankura.  In the year of 1993, L.K. Sarkar left his permanent service to stay permanently in Khatra.  After some days, he and his wife went to visit Mahali village for bamboo craft making.  They also want to train up that Mahali family in modern handicraft production.  Ms. Papiya, a local girl engaged with L.K. Sarkar’s publishing concern – R. B. Sarkar Prakashani, said that her brother name is Raju, he has a Mahali friend.  One day Raju came with his Mahali friend, Sushil Mahali.  Acquainted with Sushil Mahali, one day L.K. Sarkar went by bicycle to Sushil’s village at Kurebankra.  From that day, Sushil gradually close with L.K. Sarkar.  Slowly Sushil became familiar with L.K. Sarkar family.

L.K. Sarkar’s remarkable achievement – He educated Sushil in different subjects like library training, journalistic writing, documentation work, typewriting, trained to speak in Bengali and English, and also trained up for social works.  Then Sushil established himself as a social worker and a journalist.  Sushil has written in different rural newspapers.  His first articles published in Rarh Bangla Sambad newspaper with the headline of Amdiha Gramey Chakrir lov Dekhiya baro hazar taka Pratarana.”  Rarh Bangla Sambad established Sushil s as good reporter of district Bankura.  L.K. sarkar changed the total life of Sushil Mahali.  He built up Sushil in different sections as a social worker.  Now Sushil is a district correspondence of Coldfield Times newspaper published from Kolkata.

Sushil himself established a student library at his village Kurebankra and he established a voluntary organization, name Rangamati Voluntary Blood Donor associate and on July 13, 2003, he opened a nursery school near his village  He also completed short certificate course training from Mass Communication Center, Government of West Bengal.

TRIBAL UNREST IS ALL OVER INDIA.  WHY?  And how to bring all out development for them.  A seminar organized by L.K. Sarkar in his foundation tribal organization, Khatra Adibasi Culture and Development Center on 14^th and 15^th August, 2001.  At paschim banga academy, Sushil mahali speaking about the problem of Mahali Samaj and how his life turned from two basket making to journalism and social work.

MANIMELA

Estd.  1994.

L.K. Sarkar introduce ‘Manimala’ for uplift of rural and tribal children, in Khatra and its surrounding areas.  He has established 7 manimela organizations.

Manimela means ‘assembly of jewels.’  Manimela aimed at organizing ideal child welfare center offering healthy recreation and facilities with games, education, arts and work for the young aspirant and to create opening for the poor neglected young hopefuls.

The task was taken up with devotion and dedication by the voluntary child welfare workers both tribal and rural boys and girls.  Being inspired themselves, they sparked inspiration among small groups of children in their respective localities to meet at Manimela units regularly, to organize an excellent child welfare programme with spontaneous discipline and sincerity.  A country wide team of such voluntary workers has developed to render service to the future hope of the nation.

The member of such silent workers multiplied into thousand who run hundreds of Manimela units round the year programme to benefit lakhs of children speaking different tongues and professing various religious faiths.

Manimela is open to any boy or girl under 16 years of age.  An organization of 20 members or more formed with the permission of their parents is given recognition as a Manimela unit.

Children are playing at Mosleha village.  This Manimela is the first tribal children Manimela in India.  This Manimela are situated at Mosleha village, far away from Khatra Sadar i.e. 7 km.  It was inaugurated on 15^th August, 1995.

L.K. SARKAR WITH SANTAL TRIBAL STUDENTS OF AYODHYAY HILL OF PURULIA, W.B.

L.K.  SARKAR WITH SANTAL TRIBAL STUDENTS OF AYODHYAY HILL OF PURULIA, W.B.

L.K. Sarkar with Santal tribal students of Ayodhya Hill who are staying and studying in Bagmundi Kalyan Ashram.

From left standing backside Hiralal laya, Jadunath Tudu, Haridas Roy (Charida village) Ramsing Murmu, Nagranjan Ganguli (Teacher), Arabinda Bhattacharya (Teacher),  Middle standing – Umesh Mandi (Balarampur Kalyan Ashram, L.K. Sarkar, Binod Behari Murmu, Nagen Besra.

In front, Kinkar Mandi, Na Sibankar Singh Sardar, Chakradhar Saren. 

In the year 1982, L.K. Sarkar went to see how the tribal peoples are living on Ayodha Hill forest areas.

At that time,  no conveyance available to go upstairs on Ayodha Hill L.K. Sarkar by walking went on that hill.

A residential poor tribal education center whose name is Baghmundi Kalyan Ashram situated on the road side.  On the way to go to Ayodha Hill, L.K. Sarkar and his wife Dr. Srabani Chakraborty to collect information about Kalyan Ashram, Mr. Sarkar met some tribal students.

Pictures shown, these students are now scattered in different sectors.

Hiralal Laya is now working at a Refugee Relief Camp Commission, Camac Street, Kolkata.  Umesh Mandi and Kinkar Mandi are working at Balarampur Kalyan Ashram.  Sibshankar Singh Sardar is a teacher at Murshidabad.  Binodbehari Murmu is an assistant CDPO, ICDS, Khatra, Bankura.

Binod behari Murmu is the exceptional student of them.  L.K. Sarkar recently written an article about Binod Behari Murmu.  Published this article on ‘Jangal Mahaler Khabar’ in the issue of July 1, 2003.

L.K. SARKAR WITH SABAR COMMUNITIES

We are all aware that the Sabar Tribe are rare and primitive tribe (called as Born Criminal) of our state.  They need special care from every corner of our society.

L.K. Sarkar want to change the lifestyle and do uplift their quality of life through greater awareness about health, education, value system, government schemes for development, income generation programmes etc.

L.K. Sarkar through his organization Khatra Adibasi Culture and Development Center, conducted 2 days programme under sponsorship by Central Board for Workers Education, Ministry of Labor, Government of India, at Baroda Sabar Colony Primary School on 11-11-02 to 12-11-02.

S.D.O. Satadal Dutta inaugurated the 2-day program.

REMARKABLE SUCCESSFUL ACHIEVEMENTS

Sushil Mahali, a tribal boy, turn his life from bamboo basket maker to journalist and social worker

By  L.K. Sarkar.

If you have no idea about Mahali tribes, you could not realize that what L.K. Sarkar wants to say about Sushil Mahali? So, first you know that Mahali Samaj, then to Sushil Mahali.

Mahali, a Dravidian caste of laborer, palanquin bearers, and workers in bamboo found in Chotanagpur and West Bengal.  They are divided into 5 subcaste –

1.     Bansphor Mahali – who make baskets and do all kinds of bamboo work;

2.      Patar Mahali – Basket makers and cultivators;

3.      Sulunki Mahali – who are cultivators and labourers;

4.      Tanti Mahali – who carry palanquins;

5.      Mahali Munda – a small outlying subcaste.

 Those of the Santals seem to warranty the conjecture that the main body of the caste, that is to say the group comprising the Bansphor, Sulunki and Tanti Mahalis is merely a branch of the Santals, separated at a comparatively recent date from the parent tribe.