Grand Tusu Mela in Jamshedpur draws massive crowds from Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal

Celebrating culture, unity, and tradition at Bistupur Gopal Maidan

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Jan 21: A grand Tusu Mela, organized by the Jharkhandwasi Ekta Manch, was held at Bistupur Gopal Maidan on Tuesday, drawing a massive crowd of over 2 lakh people. The event witnessed attendees not only from various districts of Jharkhand but also from Odisha and West Bengal, who brought along their traditional Tusu and Chodal artifacts.

The event featured several competitions, with seven individuals receiving awards for their Tusu displays, four participants honored for their Chodal performances, and four groups winning cash prizes for the Budi Gadi Dance competition. Along with these, several consolation prizes were also given to deserving participants.

Astik Mahato, the chief coordinator of the Jharkhandwasi Ekta Manch, chaired the event. Prominent dignitaries like Member of Parliament Bidyut Baran Mahato, Ichagarh MLA Sabita Mahato, former MP Suman Mahato, and former minister Banna Gupta graced the occasion.

During his speech, MP Bidyut Baran Mahato captivated the audience with his rendition of traditional Tusu and Jhumar songs, including the popular line “Aasche Makar Du Din Sabur Kar, Tui Peetha Mudheer Jogaad Kar.” Former MP Suman Mahato and MLA Sabita Mahato also appealed to the attendees to preserve their culture, stating, “In the race of modernity, we must not forget our roots. Our culture is the true reflection of who we are.”

The artists’ team on stage kept the cultural momentum alive with continuous performances of Tusu and Makar songs, as the audience joined in, making the atmosphere even more vibrant. People who had travelled from distant places with their Tusu and Chodal arrived late the previous night, but by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, the grounds were already packed. By 2 p.m., there was barely any space left in the field.

The Tusu Mela’s distinguishing feature is its peaceful conclusion, with attendees departing calmly once the event concluded. The gathering began with a tribute to freedom fighters, with flowers and incense offered at portraits of notable figures such as Raghunath Mahato, Shaheed Birsa Munda, Sido-Kanhu, Shaheed Nirmal Mahato and others, acknowledging their contributions to the state’s movement.

To ensure the event’s success, special selection teams were formed to identify the best Tusu sculptures, Chodal participants and Budi Gadi dance groups. The Tusu selection committee included Sunil Mahato, Narayan Mahato, Sachin Mahato, Raymuni Banra, Vinay Mahato and Satyanarayan Mahato. The Chodal committee had Yugal Kishore Mukhi, Sukhdev Mahato, Ajay Rajak, Atank Mukhi and Bhua Sundhi. The Budi Gadi dance selection team comprised Chunka Mardi, Sudarshan Mahato, Haseen Ahmed, Tadit Mahato and Prashant Poddar.

This cultural extravaganza was made successful thanks to the efforts of dedicated organizers, including Phanindra Mahato, Sukhdev Mahato, Bablu Mahato, Sachin Mahato, Gopal Mahato, Karmu Hansda, Dhananjay Mahato, Chunka Mardi, Kamal Mahato, Vijay Mahato, Ashok Mahato, O P Singh and Kailash Singh.