What is the Significance of Karam / Karma Festival? Know About Observing Practices, Preparation, Activities, Rituals and Much More...!!!

Abstract:

Karam or Karma : 

A Vibrant Celebration of Agriculture, Nature and Selfless Bonding between brothers and sisters. The Karam Festival, also known colloquially as Karma, is a vibrant and culturally significant harvest festival celebrated in various Indian states and Bangladesh. It pays tribute to Karam-Devta, the god symbolizing power, youth, and vitality, while also rejoicing in the bountiful harvest and good health. On the day of the festival, young villagers venture into the jungles to gather essential offerings such as wood, fruits, and flowers required for the Karam God’s worship. The celebration is a fusion of dance, music, and communal bonding.

Keywords: Karam, selfless love, Tree, Nature, Festival, Celebration, Culture 

Learning Outcomes 

After undergoing this article you will be able to understand the significance and Programs of Karam festival

Karma: An Introduction 

The festival is closely linked to agriculture and nature. Karam is a celebration of “karma” (work) and also of the selfless love of brothers and sisters.The wells are full to the brim. Springs emerge from hills. Forests turn lush green. The earth dons a green cover. Paddy crops cover the fields. Bhadrapad is the month when the rainy season melts into autumn. 

Where it is celebrated?

Karam is celebrated now a days in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Parts of Bihar, Assam etc.

Distinctness in celebration of Karam in Jharkhand 

Jharkhand, a state in eastern India, is known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions. One such tradition is the Karma Puja, a festival celebrated by the tribal communities of the state. Karma Puja is dedicated to the worship of the deity Karma, who is believed to be the god of fate and destiny.

In the Chhotanagpur (Jharkhand) region, it is time for some fun and frolics. At this time, the tribal community celebrates the Karam festival. The festival is closely linked to agriculture and nature. Nature is worshipped, seeking a good harvest. Karam is a celebration of “karma” (work) and also of the selfless love of brothers and sisters. It also represents the primitive tradition of venerating nature. Karam sends out the message of preserving and enriching nature; it is a celebration of the flow of life. Starting on the Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapad month, it is celebrated for 15 days.

During the festival, baskets made of saal or kendu are placed in the akhda or courtyard of the house and worshipped as Karam tree. Seasonal flowers and fruits, rice, milk, cucumber and java flower (sprouted seeds) are offered. Then everyone listens to the Karam Katha, recited by the Pahaan. Young boys and girls present traditional Karam songs and dance in the akhda. These songs and dances are based on different stories but the message of importance of hard work and preservation of nature is central to all of them. After the puja, the Karam tree is carried to the field and buried there. It is believed that it protects the crops from insects. We are presenting here some glimpses of the celebration of this festival.

Who are the tribes observe Karam ?

Karma Puja is observed by various tribal communities, who are indigenous to the region. As on today, The Karam festival is celebrated by diverse groups of people, including: Munda, Ho, Oraon , Bagal, Baiga, Binjhwari, Bhumij, Kharia, Kudmi, Karmali, Lohra, Korwa and many more

What's the time for celebration of Karam?

The festival usually takes place during the autumn season, around the month of August or September, on the 11th day of the Hindu lunar month of Bhadra. It is a time when people express their gratitude to Karma Devta (the deity) for granting them good fortune, prosperity, and protection against evil spirits. The celebrations include singing, dancing, and offerings made to the deity.

What are the Preparation needed for Karam Puja?

Preparations for Karma Puja begin several days in advance. The villagers clean their houses and decorate them with flowers and colorful motifs. A symbolic representation of Karma Devta is made using a wooden pole or a branch of the Karam tree, which is considered sacred for the festival. The pole is adorned with flowers, leaves, and various ornaments.

Activities During the Karma Festival 

During the Karma Festival in Jharkhand, various activities are carried out with cultural significance. 

These are some of the activities explained according to the customs in celebrating Karam:

Decoration of Utensils: 

People artistically decorate utensils by filling them with sand, and then they plant various grains, known as “Jawa,” within these utensils.

Inviting Relatives and getting together: 

Those observing the fast invite their close relatives and neighbors to join them in the evening. They perform the puja of the Karma tree during this time.

Karma Tree Worship: 

After the puja of the Karma tree, its branches are pruned, ensuring that none of them touch the ground.

Brother-Sister Bond: 

The Karma festival involves fasting by brothers and sisters for each other’s well-being. The brothers, who are fasting, carry the branches of the Karma tree to the courtyard of their homes or to the fields.

Nature Worship: The branches are considered representations of nature and are worshipped accordingly. After the puja, people engage in night-long dancing and celebrations.

Immersion of Karam Tree Branches: 

The following morning, the branches are immersed in the river as a symbol of the conclusion of the festival.

What's the Significance for siblings? 

The festival as they sustain livelihoods, and prayers are offered to mother nature for prosperous farmlands and abundant harvests. The worship of Karam Devta, the god of power, youth, and youthfulness, is central to the celebration. Devotees fast throughout the day, and young girls exchange Jawa flowers as a symbol of welfare, friendship, and sisterhood.

This day is also important for the brothers and sisters as the sisters pray for the wellbeing of their brothers. Even the couples pray to deity for a happy conjugal life. 

Whatever may be the purpose, Karma Puja is an integral part of the tribal communities. 

What are the states Government's declared Holiday?

It is so popular in Jharkhand that the Government of the state has declared the day as a public holiday.

The West Bengal government has also declared full state holiday.

 It is sometimes a holiday in Assam state, where it is celebrated by the Tea tribe communities. 

What's the Cultural Programs of Karam?

On this day, people go in the forest to collect branches of Karam tree, which are carried back to the village by the young girls. The branches are then placed on the ground called ‘akhara’ which is meant for ceremonial dance.

The indigenous people worship trees during this festival and pray to Mother Nature to keep their farmlands green and ensure a rich harvest. It is believed that the worship for good germination increases the fertility of grain crops. This tree is the symbol of Karma Devta who is worshipped on the day of the auspicious festival. The name Karma is drawn from the name of a tree “Karam”.

On the day of Karma Puja, villagers gather in an open space or a designated Karma sthal (place) within the village. The celebrations involve singing traditional folk songs, accompanied by musical instruments like dhols (drums) and mandar (a traditional instrument). The rhythmic beats and melodious tunes create an enchanting atmosphere.

They sing the traditional songs that praise the deity.

They worship Karma Devi represented with a branch of Karam tree.

They also collect fruits and flowers which are essential for the Karma puja.

The branches are garlanded on the next day.

Planting the branch of Karma initiates the process of Karma Puja. The branch of Karma tree is washed with milk and handia, the rice beer and then raised at the center of the dancing arena.

The branches are decorated with garlands and curd, rice and flowers are offered by the devotees.

Grains are filled in the red colored baskets and offered to the branches.

The young devotees wear barley seedlings on their head which are distributed among them.

The dancers dance throughout the night forming a circle with their hands around each others’ waists.

They pass the branch to each other while dancing. This is the famous Karma dance which is typical to the tribal festival of Jharkhand.

Historical background 

The story behind the festival is narrated by the elders.

During the puja, devotees dance in circles around the Karam tree or pole, forming a human chain. This dance is known as Karma Naach and is an essential part of the festival. It involved intricate footwork and synchronized movements. The dancers move in sync with the music, swaying to the beats and singing folk songs that narrate tales of Karma Devta’s glory.

During the dance they pass the branch of the tree, the men leap forward to a rapid roll of drums, while women dance with their feet moving in perfect rhythm to and fro. People seek the blessings of Karam Devta as the entire economy of the tribes is highly dependent on nature and karma tree symbolize nature.

After the dance, a special offering is made to Karma Devta. It typically consists of rice, fruits, flowers, and other traditional delicacies. The priest or a respected elder person conducts the rituals and seeks the deity’s blessings for the well-being of the community.

As the night progresses, the celebrations continue with more singing and dancing. The aroma of freshly cooked food fills the air as people shared meals with each other. It is heartwarming to see how the festival bring people together and strengthen their sense of community.

The different versions of Tells and Stories 

The history of the festival is not much known. But local historians aver that it’s being celebrated since time immemorial. The legend behind the festival, according to Pashupati Mahato, Anthropologist, Kolkata regional centre is as follows:

A very interesting story is associated with this festival – it is the story of Karam Rani:

Long ago in a village, there lived seven brothers who worked so hard in their agricultural field that they don’t even ha time for lunch, due to which their wives used to carry their lunches everyday to the field. One day it so happened that their wives didn’t went to the field with their lunches. Working hard the whole day without food when the brothers returned home in the evening,they found their wives dancing and singing around the Karam tree forgetting about their duty towards their husbands, they roared out in anger and lost their temper and ripped the branch and threw it into the river.

After this incident, hardship fell on their whole family; their economical condition worsened day by day as the Karam deity was insulted. They called upon the village priest and took suggestions from him on how to improve their lives and as per the priest instructed; they searched for the deity and finally brought her home with utmost respect and devotion and worshipped her and sought her blessings. Slowly and gradually their economic condition was improved.

There are multiple versions of the story behind the origin of Karam Puja.

“Among the Bhumij, Ho and Oraon the legend is that there were seven brothers living together. The six elders used to work in the field and the youngest stayed at home. He was indulging in dance and songs round a Karam tree in the courtyard with his six sisters-in-law. One day, they were so engrossed in dance and song that the morning meal of the brothers was not carried to the field by the wives. When the brothers arrived home, they became agitated and threw the karam tree into a river. The youngest brother left home in anger. Then evil days fell on the remaining brothers. Their house was damaged, the crops failed and they virtually starved. While wandering, the youngest brother found the karam tree floating in the river. Then he propitiated the god, who restored everything. Thereafter he came home, he called his brothers and told them that because they insulted Karam Devta, they fell on evil days. Since then the Karam Devta has been worshipped.”

Another legend prevalent among the Pauri Bhuiyans:

“A merchant returned home after a very prosperous voyage. His vessel was loaded with precious metals and other valuables, which he had brought from distant lands. He waited in the vessel to be ceremoniously received by his wife and relatives, as was the custom. As it was the day of the Karama festival, all the women were engrossed with dancing and the men with playing the drums, so no one went to receive him. The merchant became furious with them. He uprooted the karam tree and threw it away. Then the wrath of Karam Devta fell on him. His vessel immediately sank in the sea. The merchant consulted astrologers who told him to propitiate Karam Devta. He launched another vessel, set out in search of the deity, and found him floating in the sea. He propitiated him with great devotion and was restored with all wealth. From that day on, the annual festival of Karam Puja has been held. After spending the whole night with dance and songs, the people uproot the branches and carry them to nearby rivers or rivulets for immersion.”

The message is simple: since the entire economy of the Adivasis was dependent on land, water and forest, trees that sustain the environment must be worshiped.

KARAM DANCE: A Beautiful feather wooven in the culture!

Karma Dance is also one of the oldest dance form in India. Karma dance, which is also popularly known as Karma Naach, is performed by the indigenous peoples of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa and other regions of the country. The dancers hold each others’ waists and dance in the rhythm of music welcoming the spring and forming a circle through their movements around a tree that is venerated as Karma. 

Men and women dance to the tunes of the instruments like Thumki, Chhalla, Payri, and Jhumki. The drum locally known as ‘timki’ is used as the main musical instrument and the dancers dance enthusiastically on the beats of timki. The dancers move their feet in perfect rhythm and in to and fro style. They form a circle and put their arms around the waist of the next the dancer and continue dancing in a rhythmic manner, bending towards the ground and leaping forward. The dancers wear ethnic costume and jewelry. There are many sub-varieties of Karma dance that includes the Jhumar, Ektaria, Lahaki, Sirki, etc.

The Karam Songs sung inthe Ankhara

During the Karma Festival, special songs known as “Karmajit” are sung. These songs commence with the onset of the monsoon and continue until the crops are harvested.

The Karma songs feature beautiful lyrics and are filled with endearing expressions. Instead of addressing each other by name, people use affectionate words to call one another.

As the songs are sung, the temple and drums resonate with music. When the temple’s bell rings, people gather together and begin dancing. In Jharkhand, the place where Karma songs and dances are initiated is referred to as “Ankhara.”

Jhumur Song is a kind of folk song of the ancient tradition. At the beginning, jhumur was the song of indigenous communities. It is still very popular among them. Jhumur dance and song are performed in a group. The tribals perform jhumur dance and song on the occasion of karam festival. Because of the charm of love and melody, jhumur song has become popular among the common people of this region. 

An example of jhumur song prevalent in society is as follows:

Ganthibo fuler-i mala, jatone sajabo kala,

Ami ghuchaibo moner jwala, dhukho jabe dure.

Bandhu, hridoi majare Shyamke rakhibo adore

Na aile Nandalal kemone mitabo jwala.

Thak thak Pranboleov bandha prem-dore.

The Resources about Karam in the internet

There are many articles webpages, songs and videos etc are available in the internet .

Interested persons can browse and go through the information for deeper knowledge.

Conclusions 

The Karam festival is a worship of Karam devta, the god of power, youth and youthfulness. Karam is held on the 11 of moon in Bhadra month. 

Groups of young villagers go to the jungle and collect wood, fruits and flowers. These are required during the Puja of Karam God. During this period people sing and dance in groups.

Karma Puja is not only a religious festival but also a social event that brings communities together. 

It is an occasion for cultural exchange, where people showcase their traditional attire, jewelry, and craftsmanship. 

The festival promotes unity, harmony, and a sense of belonging among the tribal communities of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha etc.

With its rich traditions and legends, the Karam Festival stands as a symbol of unity and thanksgiving among the diverse communities that partake in its festivities.