Abstract

GEOMORPHOLOGY OF EROSION IS AN ETHNIC SCULPTURE THAT HAS CROWD PULLING CAPACITY IN SANTINIKETAN KHOAI HAAT ENCAPSULATES THE SOUL OF THE REGION

*Soumya Chakraborty and Prof. Dr. Dhrubo Jyoti Sen

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Abstract

Khoai Mela or Shonibarer haat is a weekly Saturday afternoon bazaar set up by local artisans in Santiniketan, Birbhum district, West Bengal. The Khoai Mela has now become a part of the culture of the Bengali people and has been taking place for over 20 years. The word khoy in Bengali means erosion. This Khoai region is a geographical formation of small canyons resulting from constant erosion caused by wind and water. This place is characterized by the Shyambati canal on one side and a Sonajhuri tree forest growing in red laterite soil on the other side. Erosion is the process where rocks are broken down by natural forces such as wind or water. There are two main types of erosion: chemical and physical. Chemical erosion occurs when a rock's chemical composition changes, such as when iron rusts or when limestone dissolves due to carbonation.

Keywords: Santiniketan, Khoai, Birbhum, Laterite soil, Iron oxide.