{"id":89,"date":"2022-09-05T08:40:51","date_gmt":"2022-09-05T08:40:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samajikfeed.com\/?p=89"},"modified":"2022-09-05T08:40:51","modified_gmt":"2022-09-05T08:40:51","slug":"godna-a-traditional-tattoo-art-of-mithila","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samajikfeed.com\/?p=89","title":{"rendered":"GODNA (a traditional tattoo art of mithila)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u00a0Rahima khatun is a tattoo artist of traditional tattoo art known as \u201cGODNA\u201d (burying the needle). She has been into this field for around 40-45 years.\u00a0\u00a0When she was 14 years she got married to unknown person. Due to early marriage she couldn\u2019t continue her study.\u00a0\u00a0After marriage she gotta know about godna, her mother-in-law used to make godna. She also continued the same traditional tattoo art along with her mother-in-law. Rahima had 3 sons and 1 Daughter. She used to roam around the villages, singing and showing the tattooed parts of the body. She always carried the equipment\u2019s of godna in her bag. Since beginning she had no any interest in making godna tattoo and slowly, she developed the skills in her. After that she took over this art from her mother-in-law. At present, Rahima is only one godna tattoo artist in her Area. GODNA: – Traditional body tattooing is called GODNA in mithilanchal. Body tattooing (GODNA) is believed to be the adaption of the primitive form of art in mithilanchal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Traditional godana (tatto)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This art comprises permanent ornament of the body with tattoo made by Godarins (the person who made godna). The belief says that Godna marks are the only Ornamentation which remains with them after the death. This is very popular art form in mithila among women though some of the men in mithila also have this art on their body. The song is also very famous in Nepal. This song has become a folk music of mithila. These days in deep rural areas one can find this culture but in urban areas traditional godna culture are being vanished, religious significance is losing its meaning and tattooing is used only for body adornment. Godna culture is a system of symbolic communication. Godna is considered as rites of passage. Females used to get godna mark three times in their life. Firstly at the age of 8-10 or before she attains puberty, secondly after puberty and third time when she gets married and get godna mark at their husbands house. It is commonly found that girl should tattoo her body prior to marriage. Body tattooing is related to their belief system health care practice, body decoration, social status, wealth etc. Tattooing in some specific parts of the body has some medicinal value and it is believed that this tattoo helps them to cure from some typical disease.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is basically found in dom, chamar, Mehter, Bhangi, Lalbegi, das, mushar, teli, Pasi, Dhobi, Nai, Lohar, Maurya, Thakur, Kahar, Kumhar, Baniya, Badhai, Muslim, Kevat, Patel and Yadavs, suri, mandal, etc. The person either male or female who engraves godna on the body called Godanhari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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HISTORY OF GODNA: – There is no actual record to the public which talks about the origin of godna. Historical Evidence of Godna has been found in 200 BCE. Female figure found in bharahut, India had godna in their hand, leg and face. According to Rahima kathun, at the time of war of Hindus and Muslims, the Hindu women are attacked by the preditors, they were being raped also. At that time godna is made to identify the Hindu. If someone had godna in her body then no one tried to touch her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Hindu philosophy, there are two mythical story found related to the origin of godna. Maha Shiva (the father of all god) once invited the gods to a feast. A Gond god (god of Adivasi) also went to enjoy the feast. The Goddess was sitting in a separate group with Parvati. Later the Gond God went there to fetch his wife amongst so many goddess, he could not recognize her. By mistake he puts his hand around Parvati\u2019s shoulder. Shiva knew that it was only a mistake and laughed, but Parvati was very angry. She commanded the Gond (Adivasi) women to wear specific tattooing marks to distinguish themselves from other castes. Since then it is believed and tattooing has become an important customs among the tribes. Another mythical story found in the region is that Yamaraj (God of death) was confused about the sex of the dead when their spirits went to his kingdom. He desired that his daughter-in-law\u2019s body should be marked with same black stuff so as to distinguish her from others. This was done and she looked extremely attractive. Yamaraj then ordered his daughter-in-law and son to go to the earth in Godanhari attire and roam around the villages singing and showing the tattooed parts of the body to the people. They did as they were commanded and since then godna marks are considered to be a wealth of people that they can take with them even after death. A Myth related to godna is that when a spirit of the dead person appears before the God, it has to solve godna riddle; but if it is fails to solve, the spirit is sent back to the earth for rebirth and could not get salvation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PROCESS AND MATERIAL \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Godanhari first applied mustard oil on the part of body where she is going to make godna, prepares ink by mixing soot with vidali oil then symbols are etched out on the skin (Palm, arm forearm, legs, chin, forehead foot, temple, neck and area of body where rhumetitis occurs) by pricking with the help of sharp wooden needle or thorn of Babool tree. When blood comes out godanhari spreads ink on the mark. Babool tree is working as an astringent, stimulates the healing and controls the scar formation. This is painful process and girls scream while tattooing. So Godanhari and other ladies sing a song to divert her attention. After tattooing Godanhari applies turmeric (haldi) powder on the motif and gives instruction; not to rub it and sprinkle haldi powder twice for a week. After this process symbol becomes inseparable part of the body. After making Godna, godanhari receives clothes, jaggery, grains and few rupees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Process of making godana <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

             Godna songs depict the feeling of a female. These songs are symbol of love, purity, affection and reflect the socio-cultural life as well as easing the severity of pain and divert attention. These songs transmitted orally from one generation to other and now on the verge of extinction. One  folk songs have been collected from the field. That was being sung in Maithili language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0909\u0924\u0930\u093e\u0939\u0940<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0930\u093e\u091c<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0938\u0901<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u090f\u0932\u0948<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u090f\u0915<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0928\u091f\u093f\u0928\u093f\u092f\u093e<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u090f\u0932\u0948<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u090f\u0915<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0928\u091f\u093f\u0928\u093f\u092f\u093e<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u092c\u0948\u0938\u093f\u0930<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0917\u0947\u0932\u0948<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0915\u0926\u092e<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u092c\u093f\u0930\u093f\u091b\u093f\u092f\u093e<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u092c\u0948\u0938\u093f\u0930<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0917\u0947\u0932\u0948<\/em>   <\/em>\u0915\u0926\u092e<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u092c\u093f\u0930\u093f\u091b\u093f\u092f\u093e<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0938\u093f\u0939\u093f\u0930<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0938\u093f\u0939\u093f\u0930<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u092c\u0939\u090f<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0932\u0917\u0932\u0948<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0938\u093f\u0924\u0932<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u092c\u0938\u0902\u0924\u093f\u092f\u093e<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0930\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0938\u093f\u0924\u0932<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u092c\u0938\u0902\u0924\u093f\u092f\u093e<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0918\u0930<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0938\u0901<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0947\u0932\u0948<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0938\u0941\u0928\u0930\u0940<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u092a\u0941\u0924\u0939\u0941\u0935\u093e<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0930\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0918\u0930<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0938\u0901<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0947\u0932\u0948<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0938\u0941\u0928\u0930\u0940<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u092a\u0941\u0924\u0939\u0941\u0935\u093e<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u091d\u093e\u0930\u090f<\/em>  <\/em>\u0932\u0917\u0932\u0948<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0938\u0941\u0928\u0930\u0940<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0905\u092a\u0928<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0928\u093e\u092e\u0940<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0928\u093e\u092e\u0940<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0915\u0947\u0938\u093f\u092f\u093e<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0930\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0928\u093e\u092e\u0940<\/em> <\/em>\u0928\u093e\u092e\u0940<\/em>  <\/em>\u0915\u0947\u0938\u093f\u092f\u093e<\/em>  <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0930\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u092a\u0930\u093f\u0930<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0917\u0947\u0932\u0948<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0928\u091f\u093f\u0928\u0915\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0928\u091c\u0930\u093f\u092f\u093e<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u0915\u093f\u092f\u093e<\/em>  <\/em>\u0917\u0947\u0932<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0915\u093f\u092f\u093e<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u092d\u0947\u0932<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0938\u0941\u0928\u0930\u0940<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u092a\u0941\u0924\u0939\u0941\u0935\u093e<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0930\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0938\u0941\u0928\u0930\u0940<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u092a\u0941\u0924\u0939\u0941\u0935\u093e<\/em>  <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0915\u094b\u0928\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0938\u0941\u0928\u0930<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0917\u094b\u0926\u0928\u093e<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0917\u094b\u0926\u0947\u0924\u0948<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u0917\u094b\u0926\u0928\u093e<\/em>  <\/em>\u0917\u094b\u0926\u094c\u0928\u0940<\/em>  <\/em>\u0915\u093f<\/em>  <\/em>\u0924\u094b\u0901<\/em>  <\/em>\u0932\u0947\u092c\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u0917\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u0928\u091f\u093f\u0928\u093f\u092f\u093e<\/em>  <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0917\u094b\u0926\u0928\u093e<\/em>  <\/em>\u0917\u094b\u0926\u094c\u0928\u0940<\/em>  <\/em>\u0915\u093f<\/em>  <\/em>\u0924\u094b\u0901<\/em>  <\/em>\u0932\u0947\u092c\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u0917\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u0928\u091f\u093f\u0928\u093f\u092f\u093e<\/em>  <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0915\u093f<\/em>  <\/em>\u0924\u094b\u0901<\/em> <\/em>\u0932\u0947\u092c<\/em>  <\/em>\u0926\u093e\u0928<\/em>  <\/em>\u092c\u0915\u094d\u0938\u093f\u0938\u092c\u093e<\/em>  <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0915\u093f<\/em> <\/em>\u0924\u094b\u0901<\/em> <\/em>\u0932\u0947\u092c<\/em>  <\/em>\u0926\u093e\u0928<\/em>  <\/em>\u092c\u0915\u094d\u0938\u093f\u0938\u092c\u093e<\/em>  <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0917\u094b\u0926\u0928\u093e<\/em>  <\/em>\u0917\u094b\u0926\u094c\u0928\u0940<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0932\u0947\u092c\u0948<\/em>  <\/em>\u0915\u093e\u0928<\/em>  <\/em>\u0926\u0941\u0928\u0941<\/em>  <\/em>\u0938\u094b\u0928\u092e\u093e<\/em> <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0930\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em>  <\/em>\u0915\u093e\u0928<\/em>  <\/em>\u0926\u0941\u0928\u0941<\/em>  <\/em>\u0938\u094b\u0928\u092e\u093e<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0930\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em>  <\/em>\u0932\u0947\u092c\u0948<\/em>  <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em> <\/em>\u0939\u092e\u0940<\/em>  <\/em>\u0917\u093f\u0928\u0924\u0940<\/em>  <\/em>\u092e\u094b\u0939\u0930\u092c\u093e<\/em>  <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0930\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em>  <\/em>\u0932\u0947\u092c\u0948<\/em>  <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u0939\u092e\u0940<\/em>  <\/em>\u0917\u093f\u0928\u0924\u0940<\/em>  <\/em>\u092e\u094b\u0939\u0930\u092c\u093e<\/em>  <\/em>\u0930\u0947<\/em>  <\/em>\u091c\u093e\u0928<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MEANING<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FROM THE FOR NORTHERN LANDS O\u2019 DEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COMES A SLY GYPSY WOMEN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IN THE SHADE OF BURFLOWER TREE O\u2019 DEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SHE TAKES A BRIEF RESPITE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COOL APRIL BREEEZE GUSHES INTERMITTENTLY<\/p>\n\n\n\n

O\u2019 DEAR, SO THHE WIND BLOWS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OUT OF THE HOUSE O\u2019 DEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COMES AT A COMELY MISTRESS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AND THROUGH HER SILKEN, SWART HAIR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SHE SLIPS THE COMB O\u2019 DEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AND SO SHE COMBS HER LENGHTHY HAIR,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHEN  THE GYPSY BEHOLDS THE BEATIFIC MISTRESS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHOW CONE YOU\u2019RE SO GORGEOUS O\u2019 DEAR ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOW DO YOU EXUDE SUCH RADIANCE?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

O\u2019 DEAR , SHALL I TATTOO YOU,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ONLY TO EMBELLISH YOUR SEMBLANCE ?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cO GYPSY WOMAN ! BUT ,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT MUST I PAY YOU IN RETURN O\u2019 DEAR ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT MUST I PAY IN RETURN? \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNOTHING BUT YOUR GOLD EARRINGS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AND A FEW CENTS O\u2019 DEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JUST YOUR GOLD EARRINGS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AND A FEW CENTS MY DEAR.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n