A WALK IN THE FOREST

“Both are experts in crafting different ingredients.”

“The Gaav Pramukh,” also called Pramukh or Patil, “alone takes decisions regarding the pada,” the architects inquired, “Is it?” “No, no! Pramukh doesn't take decisions alone. There are other members who hold importance in the adivasi society here,” clarified the artist. “There is Raandokya,” he went on to elaborate, “The one who is invited to cook during ceremonies. Raandokya isn’t alone but has his own team. They are invited to cook for various ceremonies such as weddings, when a child is born, during the child’s naming ceremony, or even during the fifth birthday. Then there are the Ghar Baandhnaare, “house builders, who also have their own team. In this manner, twelve to thirteen people gather to make decisions and resolve disputes in the pada.” “Wow,” the architect exclaimed, “We could never have guessed, I suppose! People who cook and people who construct houses, is it?” “Yes, Raandokya and Ghar Baandhnaare teams,” the artist emphasised, “They hold more importance in the adivasi society. Ghar Baandhnare ... They know the measurements of a house, how to build it, no? And Raandokya team, during ceremonies, cooks food for so many people each year, no? Both are experts in crafting different ingredients that pada residents regularly avail, no? So, if Raandokya are not given importance,” for instance, “they won’t set foot into your house during ceremonies. That’s why they hold importance in adivasi society!”