1. Background

CHAPTER 1

BACKGROUND

It was a deep forest full of greenery. In that forest there were thousands of different types of trees from Teak wood to Silver wood. The forest was full of different types of fruits and flowers. In that forest there were so many waterfalls. The sound of waterfall was like music when mixed with the sound of birds. In such a deep forest there was a world of animals from birds to lions. There were thousands of poisonous snakes which live happily in the green surrounding. Water elephants, deers, different types of monkeys, lions, tigers and so many other animals could be found there. But this forest was a shelter not just to animals and birds. Even in this deep forest we could find people living in different tribes. There were many lambadi tribes living in the forest. They lived in the forest and grew in the forest and end their lives in this forest. They had their own cultural background which was most fascinating.

These Lambadi tribals were most colourful in their style of dressing. Their dresses were more fascinating than the modern fashion dresses. The dresses were full of mirrors and colourful beads. The lambadi women wore arm full of bangles of the colour of ivory. The married ladies wore a special type of ornament to show that they were married. The ladies were as colourful to look as their dress. Both the men and women were fair. This tribe was the most amazing tribe in the world. They were hard working and lived on agriculture. Women and men worked together in the fields. They were living in the forest from thousands of years. They lived in huts. Maybe due to the fact that it was a very deep forest, there were no good roads leading to the huts. There was no current either. To cross the forest and come to the bus stop, one had to walk for 4-5 kms.

Each tribe had around 20-30 huts. These tribes were called ‘tadas’. Each tanda had a leader. There was a leader to 10 to 12 tandas. Then there was a leader for all the tandas of the forest. All the meetings took place under his leadership. All the tribals had to listen to his words. He laid down rules to be obeyed by all.

To such a forest, 30 years ago a Muslim called Hakeem, who was an Ayurvedic pandit came in search of herbs. Seeing the amazing forest, he forgot the world and decided to settle down in the forest. Searching for herbs and making medicines with the herbs, he lived giving these medicines to the tanda people. He won their hearts treating their diseases with his knowledge of herbs. These tanda people loved Hakeem with heart. They built a hut for him to live. They gave him whatever they grew in the field. Hakeem brought his begam to live in the forest with the tanda people. He became one among them. The tanda people, who were Hindus constructed a Masjid for the Muslim Hakeem to pray. The tribals were such good people. 30 years passed. Hakeem passed his time giving medicines to the patients. Day and night he served the tribals happily and with love.