The land on which I live, lives in me
The Meena community of Rajasthan, one of the largest indigenous tribes of the state of Rajasthan in India, was deemed a criminal tribe during the British colonial rule for their fight against the Rajputs to protect their lands
The Meena community of Rajasthan, one of the largest indigenous tribes of the state of Rajasthan in India, was deemed a criminal tribe during the British colonial rule for their fight against the Rajputs to protect their lands
They are now the farmers of the land but the bond they share with their land goes beyond farming. Chaina and Rakesh are two such folk dancers from the Meena community, who apart from being farmers, are also men who dress up in women’s attire to perform at community gatherings.
When asked to describe their village, the voices of cross dancers Chaina and Rakesh become soft and gentle, a feeling of adoration fills the room. Rakesh talks about farming and the variety of animals found in his village. Chaina adds to it, saying the most beautiful time to experience his village is the winters when you get to see the colors of the land, the yellow from the mustard fields, the lush green farm lands, the trees surrounded by flowers. He suggests the best way to film his village would be from above, so you can see the newly made roads winding from one farm to the other, and to see how the houses are placed far apart from each other.
With farming wisdom passed down from generations, Chaina and Rakesh spend a majority of their year working in the fields, winter crops yield in mustard seeds and wheat and after the rainy season they harvest peanuts. They also tend to goats and cows. Here in the farms, they seem to be a part of a much bigger narrative, a narrative that involves the weather, the animals, the crops and the community.
They like coming to the cities but only to perform, they don’t want to stay for more than a few days. They say it makes them feel like they’re falling sick, both physically and mentally. Coming back to the fresh air and fresh water of the village is like taking medicine for them, instantly making them feel better and stronger.
Chaina and his wife once stayed and worked in Jaipur city for two years while he studied for an exam. He recalls that both him and his wife wanted to run back to the village every chance they got.
The farms shown in the video belong to Rakesh’s family; a vibrant sea of green - made up of Bajra (pearl millet) and Makka (corn). To see them in their farm lands is like a breath of fresh air. Their demeanor relaxed, they seem happier than we have ever seen them in the city; to be close to nature and their land.
However, times are changing now, with low yields, scarcity of water and a resulting decline in income, a stable paying job in the city seems like the only option now.
