Alha folk music, snake-and-ladder game part of snakebite awareness campaign in Madhya Pradesh
As heavy rains cause snakes to slither into human settlements, the South Panna division of MP Forest Department has taken this innovative approach to prevent fatalities caused by snakebites.
The culturally resonant folk song composed and sung in the traditional Bundelkhandi narrative (valorous storytelling) style of 'Alha' has been penned by noted poet Dr Suresh Srivastava 'Saurabh.'
The song conveys vital information in simple Bundeli lingo about the risks of snakebite, preventive measures and timely-appropriate anti-venom medical treatment (within 3 golden hours from the snakebite).
The song particularly educates snakebite victims to rush for medical treatment instead of approaching the tantriks (faith healers for treatment).
The specially composed song's audio version will be disseminated widely through the village forest committees and social media platforms to ensure that it reaches the remotest and vulnerable communities effectively.
'Alha is a very popular folk music genre across the Bundelkhand region. By blending local folk music with modern awareness messaging, this public outreach initiative aims to adequately educate people and minimise incidents of snakebites and associated deaths. Our campaign stands as an exemplary model of how traditional art forms can be harnessed for life-saving awareness and public health communication in rural India,' DFO-South Panna Forest Division Anupam Sharma told TNIE on Tuesday.
But it's not just the storytelling power and emotive connect of Alha folk music which is being used by the South Panna Forest Division (spread in 1.80 lakh hectares dense forest area) to educate people about snake bites.
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New Indian Express
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Folk music, snakes-and-ladders to aid snakebite awareness in Bundelkhand
BHOPAL: Alha, a folk music genre and heroic ballad narrating the tales of two legendary warriors, Alha and Udal, is playing a new role in Madhya Pradesh's Bundelkhand region — educating villagers on how to prevent and treat snake bites promptly to save human lives. As heavy rains cause snakes to slither into human settlements, making people vulnerable to snake bites, the South Panna division of the MP Forest Department is harnessing the popular appeal of Alha folk music to prevent snakebite fatalities. Annually, the Panna district reports over 60 deaths due to snake bites. The song composed and sung in the traditional Bundelkhandi narrative style of 'Alha' has been penned by noted poet Dr Suresh Srivastava 'Saurabh.' It conveys the risks of snakebite, preventive measures, timely and appropriate anti-venom medical treatment (within three golden hours from the snakebite), and not approaching 'tantriks' and quacks. The song's audio version will be disseminated widely through village forest committees and social media platforms.
New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Alha folk music, snake-and-ladder game part of snakebite awareness campaign in Madhya Pradesh
BHOPAL: A folk ballad narrating the tales of two legendary warriors, Alha and Udal, has now been adapted as an educational supplement to teach villagers in Madhya Pradesh's Bundelkhand region how to prevent and treat snake bites to save lives. As heavy rains cause snakes to slither into human settlements, the South Panna division of MP Forest Department has taken this innovative approach to prevent fatalities caused by snakebites. The culturally resonant folk song composed and sung in the traditional Bundelkhandi narrative (valorous storytelling) style of 'Alha' has been penned by noted poet Dr Suresh Srivastava 'Saurabh.' The song conveys vital information in simple Bundeli lingo about the risks of snakebite, preventive measures and timely-appropriate anti-venom medical treatment (within 3 golden hours from the snakebite). The song particularly educates snakebite victims to rush for medical treatment instead of approaching the tantriks (faith healers for treatment). The specially composed song's audio version will be disseminated widely through the village forest committees and social media platforms to ensure that it reaches the remotest and vulnerable communities effectively. 'Alha is a very popular folk music genre across the Bundelkhand region. By blending local folk music with modern awareness messaging, this public outreach initiative aims to adequately educate people and minimise incidents of snakebites and associated deaths. Our campaign stands as an exemplary model of how traditional art forms can be harnessed for life-saving awareness and public health communication in rural India,' DFO-South Panna Forest Division Anupam Sharma told TNIE on Tuesday. But it's not just the storytelling power and emotive connect of Alha folk music which is being used by the South Panna Forest Division (spread in 1.80 lakh hectares dense forest area) to educate people about snake bites.
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