In a unique and culturally expressive form of protest, members of the Juang tribal community drew the attention of the administration by playing the traditional ‘changu’ drum and singing folk songs to highlight their long-standing civic problems before the district authorities in Odisha’s Keonjhar district on Monday.

Residents of Gudinarda and Tungurubahal villages under Telkoi block attended the grievance hearing camp organised by the Keonjhar District Collector at Telkoi and raised concerns over the lack of basic infrastructure in their villages. 

The tribal families alleged that they have been facing persistent problems related to road connectivity, electricity supply, and access to drinking water, which have remained unaddressed despite repeated requests to local authorities.

Seeking immediate intervention, the Juang community chose a distinctive and peaceful method to communicate their grievances, using their traditional musical instruments and cultural expressions to attract the attention of officials. Their performance, marked by rhythmic beats of the changu drum and folk songs, not only highlighted their issues but also brought their rich cultural heritage into the spotlight.

Also Read: Tribals in Odisha rise in protest against dam project threatening their land and livelihoods

Following the submission of their grievances, the administration assured the villagers that necessary steps would be taken to address their concerns and work towards resolving the issues at the earliest.

“We are facing numerous problems. Although we have informed the administration about these issues several times, no action has been taken so far. Today, we once again brought our concerns to the attention of the Collector and informed him about our problems,” said Sabitri Juang.

“We are facing many problems in road connectivity, electricity supply and access to drinking water. We raised our concerns before the district administration by playing the changu drum and singing songs,” said Juang leader Ramakant Juang.

The peaceful demonstration by the Juang community reflects their determination to seek accountability while preserving and showcasing their traditional art forms, making their appeal both cultural and civic in nature.