Kisan

Abstract

The Kisan are a numerically larger community in Odisha that is the home land of 62 different Scheduled Tribes (STs). Conforming to the name of the tribe they are settled agriculturists. Their cultural life is enriched with traditions, values, performing art, faiths and festivities. Their unique culture has undergone changes under the influence of Hinduisation as well as modernization. The significance of tradition, culture and value system of Kisan are gradually losing their meaning to the young and educated Kisan. Time to come, if unpreserved they may disintegrate slowly. Thus the State government in ST&SC Development Department has taken steps for documentation of the tribes of Odisha and their life and living. So far attempts have beenmade by SCSTRTI, Bhubaneswar by documenting and publishing Photo Hand Books on Tribes including 13 PVTGs. This publication of Photo Hand Book presents a visual portrayal of Kisan tribe. The Kisans are known as a cultivating community. Although they have been greatly influenced by Hinduism, their practice of animism is unabated. They have undergone perceptible changes due to influences of education, development interventions, Hinduisation and modernization. These are pictured in the photo handbook. The photos used in this book have been collected from different sources. The ancient and contemporary situations of the Kisan ethnicity are sketched through the pages of this book. Hope, this piece of work will be appreciated by the learned readers.