Jammu, June 8 -- Flute player and painter Birsa Munda was born in a Janjati (Scheduled Tribe) village in Jharkhand called Ulihatu on November 15, 1875. Later, after growing up, he took admission to a German Mission School at Chaibasa to pursue his education.

After completing his studies, Birsa came into contact with the renowned Vaishnav saint, Acharya Anand Pandey. The innate Hindu sanskaras lying dormant within him experienced a resurgence. So profound was this transformation that he eventually became a sanyasi, or ascetic. Inspired by him, many Janjati people became ardent followers of Hinduism, worshipping the basil (Tulsi) plant and the cow, and celebrating Hindu festivals.

This transformation among the tribal people was perceived ...