It is not for reason that Western Ghats is considered as biodiversity hotspot. Here is one more specie that is endemic to Western Ghats and is classified as Near Threatened (IUCN). First impression of Nilgiri Flycatcher is that of Tickle’s Flycatcher, it shares all the characteristic of a typical flycatcher and could be seen perched on branch nearer to ground and making sorties to catch flies. Like other species endemic to this region these too face habitat destructions and fragmentation.
The Badagas of Blue Mountains
The Gods looked down from heaven above-
The Gods looked down from heaven above-
Such sins must them provoke.
Even they had never seen before
Such wilful sinful folk.
Their wrath was great, like lightening burned,
It swallowed everything.
In one short week the wealth was gone;
They stood but in their skin.
The most numerous and prosperous indigenous tribe in the Nilgiris are the Badagas. Though no longer classified as tribes in official documents they have a unique lifestyle of their own. Spread across some four hundred villages they still carry their customs that has been in existence for thousands of years. There is a view that they migrated from north (somewhere from Mysore region) as they are referred to as Badagas meaning ‘northerners’. Their villages are called Hattis and houses generally face east and share common wall making them a close nit community. The 
principal deity of Badagas is an ideal woman Hethe venerated as ancestress Goddess (Basava is also a significant deity, Hinduism influence is telling). The offerings are scared sticks commemorating the stick she wielded with her buffalo herd. Badagas have a distinctive way of dressing and prefer white clothing, women generally have white bandanas while men mostly wear white turban like headgear. I couldn’t get the time to go to Badaga hatti- will try it next time, but did manage to get few songs. Incidentally the badaga dance is quite foot tapping, fun to watch.
I was reading about the Badaga ceremonies associated with death, how they dance around the body for hours and then the sins are read out and ‘transferred’ to a calf and let loose. The calf is supposed to carry the sins to eternity. Earlier writers have speculated about origin of these customs and like Todas they too resemble the rituals of ‘lost tribe’. “Counsel from the Ancients: Study of Badaga Proverbs, Prayers, Omens and Curses” by Paul Hocking is a seminal work.
The dead has sinned a thousand times.
principal deity of Badagas is an ideal woman Hethe venerated as ancestress Goddess (Basava is also a significant deity, Hinduism influence is telling). The offerings are scared sticks commemorating the stick she wielded with her buffalo herd. Badagas have a distinctive way of dressing and prefer white clothing, women generally have white bandanas while men mostly wear white turban like headgear. I couldn’t get the time to go to Badaga hatti- will try it next time, but did manage to get few songs. Incidentally the badaga dance is quite foot tapping, fun to watch.I was reading about the Badaga ceremonies associated with death, how they dance around the body for hours and then the sins are read out and ‘transferred’ to a calf and let loose. The calf is supposed to carry the sins to eternity. Earlier writers have speculated about origin of these customs and like Todas they too resemble the rituals of ‘lost tribe’. “Counsel from the Ancients: Study of Badaga Proverbs, Prayers, Omens and Curses” by Paul Hocking is a seminal work.
The dead has sinned a thousand times.
Even all the thirteen hundred sins
That can be done by mortal men
May stain the soul that fled today.
Stay not their flight to God’s pure feet.
Chorus-stay not their flight
He killed the crawling snake.
Chorus- it is a sin.
The creeping lizard slew.
It is a sin.
Also the harmless frog.
It is a sin.
Of brothers he told tales.
It is a sin.
The landmark stone he moved.
Put the poison in the milk
It is a sin.
The strangers straying on the hills
He offered aid but guided wrong
It is a sin.
The glorious sun shone warm and bright
He turned his back towards its beam
It is a sin.
Ere drinking from the babbling brook
He made no bow of gratitude
It is a sin.
He bound with cords and made to plough
The budding ox too young to work.
It is a sin.
The weak and poor called for his aid,
He gave no alms, denied their woe.
It is a sin.
When caught by thorns, in useless rage
He tore his cloth from side to side
It is a sin.
The chamber dark of death
Shall open to his soul.
The sea shall rise in waves,
Surround on every side,
But yet that awful bridge,
No thicker than a thread,
Shall stand both firm and strong.
The dragon’s yawning mouth
Is shut-it brings no fear.
The palaces of heaven
Throw open wide their doors.
Chorus-Throw open wide their doors.
The thorny path is steep,
Yet shall his soul go safe
The silver pillar stands
So near-he touches it.
He may approach the wall,
The golden wall of heaven.
The burning pillar’s flame
Shall have no heat for him.
Chorus-Shall have no heat
Oh, let us never doubt
That all his sins are gone,
That Basava forgives.
May it well be with him!
Chorus- May it be well!
Let all be well with him.
Chorus-Let all be well!
From my scribble pad...
To listen to the Nightjar
In the dim light of the dusk
awakens a distinct song of joy
replaying a controlled rapture.
A pebble dropped by an invisible hand
on an invisible device
at the right note
just about the right time.
