350-page coffee table book on Lugu Buru Ghanta Bari Dhoromgarh documents 12-year deliberation of Santhals

Ranchi: Our Constitution was written in Parliament, theirs was written on stones.

A 350-page coffee table book documenting the oral Santhal Constitution scripted during a 12-year-long deliberation on the 2000-feet high Lugu Buru hill in Lalpania, Bokaro, has become the first book in the world on the subject. The hill still bears half-a-dozen mortar-pestle marks (Ukhud Kandi) on Dobar rock where paddy was pounded during that deliberation.

The book titled ‘Luguburu Ghantabari : Constitution of Santhal Adivasis’ has been authored by Ranchi-based journalist and tribal researcher Dr. Somnath Arya and is being published by organisation ‘Aur Ek Prayas’ with support from Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Department of Tourism, Art-Culture, Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Jharkhand. Finland-based Sopeta AI R&D Ltd has supported the research. The project had special support from Babul Soren, President, Lugu Buru Ghanta Bari Dhoromgarh Committee.

The book has garnered five official endorsements – from the President of India, Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Assembly Speaker and Director, Culture.

What President Droupadi Murmu wrote in the foreword from Rashtrapati Bhavan –

In her foreword, President Droupadi Murmu has written:

> “Man has been trying to understand the world since at least the Cognitive Revolution. Our ancestors spent a lot of time and toiled hard to discover the rules governing the natural world. It is heartening that in their efforts they understood long ago that protection of the earth lies in conservation of water, forest and land.”

> “It is a matter of happiness that historians are trying to get well acquainted with Luguburu, due to which many surprising facts are gradually coming to light. Journalist and writer from Jharkhand Dr. Somnath Arya has prepared a coffee table book after very hard work and dedication. This is the first book in the country and the world on Luguburu Ghantabari. It is 350 pages and Finland-based institution ‘Sopeta’ has supported the research.”

> “The capabilities of the ancestors of Santhal society and the mysterious dimensions of their ancient culture related to nature conservation were far more impressive than today. Flying in the storm of technology, no matter how many planets and satellites we measure, no matter how vast an illusory world we create with Artificial Intelligence, no matter what kind of mega network of market we weave from one pole to another, whenever we want to return to our roots, whenever we want to return to the origin of ancient civilization, we will have to come to sacred places like Luguburu. Luguburu is not just a hill located in Jharkhand.”

> “Luguburu is not just a group of natural rocks. Luguburu is not just a cave located amidst murmuring waterfalls. Luguburu is one of those elevated places from where the journey of human co-existence with nature begins. It is an established and immutable truth that tribals are the first citizens of this world. It took us thousands and lakhs of years to travel from brutality to humanity, from anarchy to code and from barbarism to civilization. If you want to witness this amazing past built by the penance, struggle and sadhana of our ancient ancestors in search of knowledge and truth, you will have to come to Luguburu.”

PM Modi, CM, Speaker, Culture Director messages –

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Dec 27, 2024, New Delhi) – “I have come to know that the Constitution of Santhal tribals was created in Luguburu Ghantabari. By writing the first book in the country and world on this subject, you have done an important work. You are the first author in the country to achieve this honour.”

Chief Minister Hemant Soren – “Luguburu Ghantabari Dhoromgarh in Bokaro has been a centre of faith since time immemorial for lakhs of Santhals living in every corner of the country. It is believed that Lugu Baba established rituals and social norms here after 12 years of deliberation with Santhals. In these, the spirit of conservation and promotion of Jal-Jungle-Jamin is paramount.”

Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato – “Luguburu Ghantabari Dhorom Garh is not just a geographical place, but a centre of Santhal identity, faith and self-respect. The social system of Santhal community is actually a living Constitution.”

Director, Cultural Affairs, Asif Ekram, JAS – “I take pride in sharing the exceptional work prepared by Dr. Somnath Arya, which beautifully encapsulates the essence of Luguburu Ghatabari and offers a picturesque presentation of the rich and vibrant Santhali tribal culture. This work serves as a valuable resource for understanding the soul of the Santhali community and their harmonious relationship with nature and spirituality.”

Constitution alive on stones –

“The book is not just on the tongue of elders but on stones, in water-forest-land and in poems,” author Dr. Somnath Arya said.

On Dobar rock there are still Ukhal marks, there is sacred Sita Nala (Charcharia waterfall) considered as pure as cow’s milk, and Dhorom Dolan cave where water seeps from rocks for 12 months without any source. For tribals, water is mother, forest is home and land is soul.

Centre of faith for 14 countries, State Festival

Lugu Buru has been declared a Rajkiya Mahotsav (State Festival) by Jharkhand Government. Every year after Kartik Purnima, lakhs of Santhals from around 14 countries including Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan besides Jharkhand, Odisha, Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Assam congregate. It is the biggest pilgrimage for Santhals and the Chief Minister himself pays obeisance every year.

As Governor, Droupadi Murmu had herself visited Lugu Buru and praised it through poems and addresses. Both the President and the Chief Minister belong to the Santhal community.

President of Lugu Buru Ghanta Bari, Babul Soren said, “The committee is preparing for the arrival of the President this time. This book as documentary evidence will give new strength to this State Festival. Now we have written proof that this is not just a fair, this is our Parliament.”