Story of Skondhokata or Sarkate: The Headless Aswang Like Creature Of Bengali Folklore
What is Skondhokata or Sarkate?
Skondhokata (also known as Sarkate) is one of the most prolific figures in Bengali and Indian folklore. These restless spirits are said to roam around the earth dimension in search of their decapitated other half that they cannot found. The word “Skondhokata” literally means “headless,” describing their physical attributes. According to various story of Skondhokata, there are two variants of these entities in which a body roams around in search of its decapitated head; the other one is the head without the body, which is considered to be more dangerous.
The Legend Of Skondhokata
As their name suggests, these spirits were once normal human beings that faced their demise by decapitation, whether by accident or murder, resulting in these headless apparitions roaming in search of their other halves. Some depictions also suggest that these entities carry their heads with them, asking travellers and strangers to fix them. These multiple depictions make the story of Skondhokata’s or Sarkate’s more complex and undefined.
Eternal Search
According to traditional Bengali folklore, Skondhokatas are people who face their tragic demise in train accidents, and hence, they are mostly seen in the nearby areas of railway stations, especially at mid-night, asking random people if they have seen their other half, who got decapitated while crossing the train tracks. Though their intentions are not violent or harmful, their appearance often makes the commoners go crazy and lose their minds.
The Variants Of Skondhokata
While traditional Bengali folklore portrays Skondhokata or Sarkate as more tragic and sorrowful figures, there are many local stories in other parts of India, including places in Bengal, where these entities are depicted in a more malevolent way. Both Japanese and Bengali folklore have a tendency to portray ghosts and spirits in a more polite way, making their stories and tales more sympathetic than scary, but in other parts of India, these entities are often depicted as phantom-like beings who hunt down targets in a more violent way.
The Malevolent Sarkate
Skondhokatas, according to this belief, are more similar to Thailand’s “Krasue.” Though the stories and origins vary, these demonic floating heads stalk lonely travellers at night, hypnotising and murdering them. The concept of hypnotism adds more mysterious depth to these entities. While no one knows what the exact motive is for the slaughter, it is suspected that the Skondhokatas pursue the victims for their bodies. However, fate intervenes, and the body is ill-suited to host these tormenting heads, and as a result of this, they keep on going on this killing spree in search of finding the ideal body as their host.
Dominance In Popular Culture
The story of Skondhokata endures both sympathetic and horrific aspects as a result of which it can be moulded or tweaked, according to the creative liberty of different authors and narrators. These entities are often featured in different cultural segments, such as in stories and literature. “Thakumar Jhuli” is one of the prime sources where these entities often appear, making the story more interesting. Here, these entities are depicted as both good and bad with respect to the story narrative.
The most recent interpretation of Skondhokata, also known as Sarkate, will make an appearance in the upcoming film “Stree 2” a sequel to the movie “Stree.” Amar Kaushik will helm the picture under the banners of Jio Studios and Maddock Films. The Skandhokata, also known as the Sarkate, will play the new nemesis in the movie, which will carry on the plot of its predecessor.
Read our review of the upcoming movie Stree 2 Trailer.
Conclusion
The concept of Skondhokata or Sarkate piques a wide imagination due to its decapitating nature. These headless, or in some cases, bodyless, beings give both horrific and tragic narratives, making them an integral part of Bengali and Indian folklores and mythologies.