Culture of Jharkhand and Feminist Discourse

Jharkhands Nagpuri folk music is so deeply rooted in every village, town, and household that it is often said, Speaking itself is song, and walking itself is dance. From birth, every child here carries music within. From an early age, one is surrounded by an environment of songs and music within the family, neighborhood, festivals, and fairs. Every village has an Akhra, a common space where people gather to sing, play instruments, and dance. The Akhra has also served as a medium for learning music and dance. It is considered the cultural heart of Jharkhand. On the other hand, feminist discourse is an intellectual, social, and literary movement that demands equality, freedom, identity, and self-construction for women against the exploitation present in a patriarchal society. It is an ideological effort to establish women as individuals rather than merely objects. Despite the patriarchal structure, women in Jharkhand play a crucial role as the backbone of the family and actively participate in community decision-making. They also contribute significantly to art and culture. This article highlights how tribal women of Jharkhand are promoting their culture at national and international levels while empowering themselves. It also examines womens liberation and feminist consciousness.