Rayagada (Odisha): While the Dongria Kondhs of Odisha, are struggling to sustain their livelihood after the lockdown abruptly closed their traditional marketplaces, another problem has apparently hit their tradition by forging the indigenous art and culture.
According to reports, the 'Kapadagunda' art of the Dongria Kondhs has become famous in national and international markets but the tribal community has alleged that the art form has been forged and without their concern, an E-Commerce site has started selling materials by putting Dongria Kondhs' art form on their products.
As per Dongria Kondhs' traditional ritual, they draw several pictures and art paintings on the walls of their houses in order to propitiate their forefathers on the occasions like the birth of a child or death of somebody, particularly during the festival like "Meria".
The matter came to light when a business organization put an advertisement about shoes which contained the picture that exactly resembles the one usually drawn by the Dongria community on the walls for worshipping their presiding deity, reports said.