Announcement

The Story of Goddess of the Jungle Maa Tarini of Ghatgaon: Located about 40 kilometers from Kendujhar town, the district headquarters of Kendujhar district, Goddess of the Jungle Maa Tarini is much revered not only by people of the district but most parts of Odisha. Such is Her aura that if a person shows a coconut, meant to be sent to Maa Tarini as an offering on any road, vehicles going toward Ghatgaon will invariably stop to collect and make sure coconuts reach the temple. An in-depth study has been initiated by GRF to unravel many facets of this Goddess of the Jungle and map Her ever growing devotions among the devotees.

Multi-disciplinary research methods will be employed by the team of GRF researchers for this multi-year project. A series of brainstorming sessions, seminars, commentaries, documentaries and a proposed book are planned as knowledge deliverables on Goddess Tarini.

A revisionist narrative on revolutionary tribal leader Dharanidhara Nayak (Bhuyan): Contemporary and revisionist narratives on Kendujhar’s famous tribal leader Dharanidhara Nayak have thus far failed to appropriate him adequately and his revolutionary life in India’s pre-independence era as well as independence movements. A new revisionist account of this revered figure has been attempted by GRF to not only de-mystify certain narratives about him and bring forth hitherto unaccounted versions of his life and struggles, but also strives to locate his due place in Indian history.

Curated primary, secondary and tertiary sources like libraries, archival documents, field research and tertiary research sources will be employed for this multi-year research project. Ideational and popular folklores will also be employed where applicable. A series of knowledge products in the form of commentaries, documentaries, peer-reviewed / refereed research papers and a book are planned as major deliverables. A series of brainstorming, seminars and conferences on the subject will justifiably enrich the quality of these knowledge products.

Mapping a Spiritual-Cultural River: The Untold Story of Gonasika and Punyatoya Baitarani: Gonasika, a remote rock structure in Kendujhar district, is considered to be the origin of river Baitarani of Odisha. Such is the majestic spiritualized charm of Baitarani that Odias consider this river pious enough to perform all rituals related to human life. Mapping of a river is a conventional effort from geological, climatic, hydrological and related prisms, but this proposed study attempts to unravel the spiritual-cultural dynamics of this holy river. From its origin from Gonasika to its eventual merge into Bangop Sagar (Bay of Bengal), this study will critically examine evolving socio-cultural, spiritual and civilizational dynamics and their different interplays.

Primary, secondary and tertiary sources like geological, archeological, field surveys, multi-disciplinary research and related practical and ideational domains will be employed by a team of research scholars for this multi-year research project. In addition to a series of brainstorming sessions, seminars and conferences on the subject, a series of commentaries, documentaries, peer-reviewed / refereed research papers and a book are planned as knowledge deliverables on the subject.

Environmental Consciousness in traditions and rituals of Keonjhar: Contributing and Enriching Indian Knowledge System: Bharat has a rich source of understanding and knowledge of how society interacts with nature throughout the ages. It is not surprising that many indigenous epics, religious rituals, and cultural practices, as well as popular stories and usages, have a strong connection to nature and the natural surroundings. The Kendujhar district (or Kendujhar) derives its name from Kendu (India Ebony Tree) and jhar (abundant streams of water), and has several traditions and practices that accentuate a deep understanding of nature. Sarhul, a celebration of nature (celebrated every month of Chaitra as the beginning of the new year). During this festival, the indigenous communities worship the Sal Tree (Shorea robusta). Similarly, Gundi Parva, Sohrai, Sarhul, Chaitra Parva (Uda Parva), Karmapuja, Bodam, Ratha Yatra, Nuakhai, Raja Parva, Pana Sankranti, Makar Sankranti and Gonasika Mahotsav and so on have both cultural and ecological importances.

The paper delves into extrapolating and establishing that environmental consciousness is an integral part of the Kendujhar district in Odisha. This environmental consciousness derived from the popular cultural practices in Kendujhar and Odisha, with its vernacular usages, has been enriching India's knowledge system. The research delves into establishing linkages and documenting rituals and practices in the context of prevailing environmental and climate crises. The thematic long-term research aims to amplify the understanding of sustainability, which would directly enhance our capacity to address the environmental uncertainty on the local, regional and national scales.

A Revised History of Kendujhar. The mineral rich forested piece of land called Keonjhar in the state of Odisha with its lovely weather and innocent tribal inhabitants necessitates a relook from a revisionist historical prism. A few books on Kendujhar and its history have been published by noted writers like Bipin Behari Das, Pandit Madan Mohan Mishra and others. Contemporary writers like Niranjan Barik and others have attempted to add new dimensions. However, an objectively pursued scholastic narrative still eludes contemporary scholarship on this mineral rich district of Odisha.

GRF will attempt to get deeper into the history of Kendujhar and its myriad natural-socio-cultural dynamics and bring forth a new history, independent of biases and sentiments. Led by a distinguished team of researchers, this project will culminate into a book, preceded by a series of articles and documentaries.