Gautam Doshi
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which led the historic struggle of farmers at Singhu and Tikri borders at Delhi, gave a nationwide call to intensify and broaden the struggle from January 23rd to 26th.
While the Supreme Court has temporarily stayed the implementation of the three Farm Laws, it has formed a committee which comprises four members, all of whom have publicly supported the Farm Laws. One of them has already opted out of the committee. The SKM has rightly refused to go before this committee.
On January 24, thousands of farmers and workers from Maharashtra converged with tractors at Azad Maidan in Mumbai for a sit – in protest for two days, until the eve of 26th January.
A woman holds up the flag of All India Kisaan Sabha (AIKS) at Azad Maidan.
Farmers indulging in a folk dance at Azad Maidan at night, once the days speeches and proceedings were complete on January 25, 2021.
Warlis, Malhar Kolis and on occasion, the Bhil tribes of Maharashtr usher in bountiful harvests, festivals and marriages by dancing to the high-pitched tunes of a tarpa. Performed by both men and women from the tribal communities, the folk dance is named after the wind instrument — known simply as tarpa nritya.
Celebrated among most indigenous cultures as the king of folk dances, tarpa is the primary entertainment at social gatherings in the settlements of the Warli and Kokni tribes along the coastal strip of the Palghar district (around 200 km away from Mumbai), and for a few communities along the Satpura hills, as well as certain regions in the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
The dance performance in ‘Tarpa’ are usually done on moonlit nights, with the musical accompaniment of a wind instrument named Tarpa, the dancers encircle the ‘Tarpakar’ and they dance past mid night. The dance performed by the villagers is a true mirror to their unity and coordination. All the participants join hands and swing in circles while singing themselves.
Woman farmer waits in line to get some tea and food from aid workers while others do the same on January 26, 2021.
A little after the flag hoisting ceremony, farmers’ and leaders shout slogans in support of the farmers – 26th of January.
