Medaram jatara is the invaluable intangible heritage of Telangana.

The famous tribal fair – Sammakka Sarakka jatara which dates back to 13th

century is a unique intangible heritage that richly deserves the UNESCO tag.

 

The fair has

got all the criteria required for international recognition – traditional and

contemporary at the same time, inclusive, representative, and community-based.

 

The same

clan that belonged to Medaraju, daughter Sammakka and her daughter Sarakka who

died while fighting the Kakatiya rulers who invaded tribal areas demanding

royalty are conducting the festivities still. The tribals expressed their

inability to pay due to prolonged drought but the unrelenting Kakatiya army

went on a rampage killing the tribal chieftains.

 

Since then

the  tribals accorded their martyrs the status of goddesses. The tradition of

paying obeisance and rituals are continuing unbroken for over 800 years. The

jatara witnesses one of the largest human congregations in Asia. It is both

antique and modern. The thick forest that turns into a sea of humanity is a

beholding spectacle. It still retains its age-old charm that has been

attracting people from big cities. For them, it is both a pilgrimage and a

break from hustle and bustle of life.

 

The UNESCO

had recognised nine intangible heritages in India – Durga Puja (2021), Kumbh

Mela (2017), Nouruz (2016), Yoga (2014), Ramlila (2008), and others.

 

The Medaram

jatara is nothing short of these intangible heritages and falls within the

UNESCOs `Social practices, rituals and festive events’ – one of the five main

domains of the organisation.

 

The Sammakka

Sarakka jatara has no temple built except for two poles and some traditional

tribal rituals. However, a large number of people repose immense faith and

continue to congregate once in two years.

 

However,

little effort was made to showcase and popularise this spectacular event. The

Kakatiya Heritage Trust founded by retired IAS officer B V Papa Rao and retired

NIT professor M Panduranga Rao brought out a coffee table book titled “Goddess

of folk – Sammakka Saralamma jatara” in 2016 collecting rare photographs from

1950 to 2016. The trust in collaboration with the Telangana government secured

UNESCO tag to historic Ramappa temple recently.

 

The UNESCO's

tag for the Sammakka Sarakka jatara would help put the event on the

international map for the benefit of tourists. It will help generate local

employment as increased tourists result in businesses such as transport,

hotels, and souvenir shops among others.

-Press note