Bangalore: Among the many African races in India (N.K. Sharma, DV July 1 p.8), the Sidi’s found in the Karnataka coastal district of Karnataka and Gujarat are the most prominent. The Aryan races having been put for shame after being defeated in international athletic field are turning to poor Sidi’s. Both in Olympics and Asiad, the Aryan races could not win any gold to India. Their only hope —P.T. Usha, a Dalit girl from Kerala —has bowed out and got recently married. The over-fed Aryan rulers with their pot bellies could not come up to international athletic standards. The only field in which they shine somewhat is cricket which is neither a sports nor a game. Like that eunuch – neither man nor woman – cricket is avoided by all modern countries. But India dominated by the lazy lots of Aryan races can play only cricket which as George Bernard Shaw said is something played by 11 fools and watched by eleven thousand fools.
But to shine in reflected glory they are grooming the simple Sides from the jungles and mountains of Kanara and training them in Bangalore in running race, fast-walking etc.
Here is a report in the Indian Express, Bangalore, (June 30) about the Aryan exploitation of Sides: –
Yellapur: The Sidi’s inhabiting the forests of Ankola, Yellapur, Haliyal and Mundagod taluks in Uttara Kannada District are really Negroes who came over from Africa in the days of yore. Numbering just about 6,000, they have made themselves at home in India.
Do not make the mistake of writing them off as people of the forest. These hardy people are born athletes. Their talents in this direction have come to be recognized now, and the Sidi’s are fast carving a niche for themselves in the world of sports.
Their girls have made it to the national scene. Among them are athletes like Kamala Siddi and Mala Siddi, training under the Sports Authority of India.
Considering the fact that Negroes are potentially the best athletes in the world, it must logically follow that the Sidi’s of Karnataka are capable of turning out to be the best athletes in India — provided they are properly trained.
But the talents of the Sidi’s are not confined to the sports arena alone. They excel in folk arts too, especially dance. At the All-India Tribes Mela held at Tshekedi in Kerala recently, under the auspices of the Kerala Government, the Sidi’s did so well in the folk-dance competition that they jigged away with the prize. The number which clinched their victory was their ‘Pugadi’ dance.
This dance team has also participated twice in the festivals of the Central Sangeet Natak Academy in Delhi.
The Sidi’s of Yellapur are famous for the ‘Damami’ folk dance, too. And for their ‘Sangya Balya’ drama. The play, Kappujana, Kempu Neralu, directed by Ninasam (Heggodu), has become well known in the State and outside.
A little encouragement, a little grooming, and these beautiful people, who have made India their home, will bring the country fame in multiple discipline.
