Asur tribe to showcase iron smelting skills this Puja

Bucking the trend, members of the primitive Asur tribe from Jharkhand will showcase their expertise in iron smelting to the public here during the five-day Durga Puja festival, organisers said on Thursday.

The Asur tribe claim their descent from the buffalo-headed demon Mahishashur and mourn the slaying of their ancestor by Goddess Durga as the rest of the world celebrates the occasion. At the behest of the organisers of the FE Block, Durga Puja in the satellite-township of Salt Lake will highlight the intricacies of the ancient craft of conversion of ore to iron in live demonstrations at the marquee.

“There are seven Asur tribe members who arrived here to demonstrate their ancient practices. They have brought with them their own equipment,” an FE Block Resident said.