Category Archives: Music and dance

“The old villagers who have imbibed our traditional knowledge and normally make and play the Banam [fiddle] are unable to transmit their skills and knowledge to [youngsters] busy preparing school lessons and therefore get little time to sit with the elderly people of their village and learn from them. Another reason is [an] attraction to the fast and loud music from Bollywood and from other modern sources.” – Boro Baski on the purpose of organizing instrument making workshops at the Museum of Santal Culture (Bishnubati village near Santiniketan, West Bengal)
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=30075

“Many of the modern day gypsies can be traced back to the nomadic tribe called Roma. In Europe, they were referred to as the goddess-worshippers. This goddess was none other than Kali. They were later referred to as gypsy, as they believed that they came from Egypt before spreading to European countries. The tribe Roma also make a claim that their ancestors were an ancient warrior class in Punjab. […] While suspicions have led to wide scale persecution, the world also acknowledges their amazing contribution, especially to music and dance. From guitar to violins in places like Hungary, the flamenco dances in Spain and Oriental dances in Egypt is said to originate from them.” – “Where do gypsies come from?”, The Times of India, Life (14 May 2013)
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/where-do-gypsies-come-from/articleshow/18791132.cms
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=20310

“Within villages around Dang [in Gujarat], traditional instruments and artists are waning. Cultural music and dance forms among the adivasis have evolved over centuries. Beautified by elements and nuances of their surroundings, these forms depict their very lifestyles. Played for hours together in the same tempo, music is an integral part of celebrations and mourning. […] Each instrument has a purpose and belief related to it.” – Ashleshaa Khurana in “The ailing art of adivasi music” (Times of India, 30 January 2014)
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=13780

Malayalam poetry to hitherto unexpressed human conditions: “The city’s late discovery of the forest” – Kerala

Posted on 20/11/2020 by website administrator

S Joseph, who introduced Malayalam poetry to hitherto unexpressed human conditions (Meenkaran, Mesthri, Kotta, Identity Card, Chila Irunda Idangal, Aana, Maruku, Pengalude Bible) with very ordinary, pared down words, has wandered through life’s mean streets to reach where he is today. Indeed, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adivasi / Adibasi, Adverse inclusion, Crafts and visual arts, Customs, Education and literacy, Games and leisure time, Literature and bibliographies, Media portrayal, Misconceptions, Modernity, Music and dance, Names and communities, Nature and wildlife, Networking, Poetry, Press snippets, Revival of traditions, Storytelling, Tourism, Western Ghats - tribal heritage & ecology, Women, Worship and rituals | Tagged , | Comments Off on Malayalam poetry to hitherto unexpressed human conditions: “The city’s late discovery of the forest” – Kerala

Santals and Santiniketan: Rabindranath’s concept of raising everyday life on to a higher level – West Bengal

Posted on 17/11/2020 by website administrator

It is well-known that Rabindranath Tagore harboured a special affection for the Santhals in the villages around Santiniketan. He saw in their life a special beauty. They combine the tilling of the earth as farmers with poetry, songs and dance. … Continue reading →

Posted in Community facilities, Cultural heritage, Customs, Eastern region, Education and literacy, History, Maps, Misconceptions, Modernity, Music and dance, Names and communities, Networking, Organizations, Quotes, Revival of traditions, Rural poverty, Seasons and festivals, Success story, Tagore and rural culture, Tourism, Websites by tribal communities | Tagged | Comments Off on Santals and Santiniketan: Rabindranath’s concept of raising everyday life on to a higher level – West Bengal

Video | People of the hills celebrate their annual Wangala festival in Asanang: “We Garos are tuned into world music and culture” – Meghalaya

Posted on 14/11/2020 by website administrator

PHEROZE L. VINCENT, The Hindu, November 24, 2012 | To read the full article and view more photos, click here >> The Garo tribe of Western Meghalaya celebrates the winter harvest with a three-day festival. […] Alva Sangma, the editor of … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthropology, Cultural heritage, De- and re-tribalisation, Dress and ornaments, Maps, Modernity, Music and dance, Names and communities, Photos and slideshows, Press snippets, Quotes, Revival of traditions, Seasons and festivals, Seven Sister States, Social conventions, Storytelling, Video resources - external, Women | Tagged , | Comments Off on Video | People of the hills celebrate their annual Wangala festival in Asanang: “We Garos are tuned into world music and culture” – Meghalaya

Tip | Find press reports on India’s tribal heritage and democracy: Journalism without Fear or Favour, The Committee to Protect Journalists & United Nations

Posted on 06/11/2020 by website administrator

How to stop misinformation in times of coronavirus?Learn how to identify unverified content you receive on your cell phone and avoid spreading information on social media that has not been checked by credible sources. Caring for reliable information is everyone’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Adivasi / Adibasi, Anthropology, Crafts and visual arts, Cultural heritage, Customs, Democracy, Dress and ornaments, Fashion and design, Figures, census and other statistics, Games and leisure time, Health and nutrition, History, Homes and utensils, Museum collections - India, Music and dance, Names and communities, Networking, Organizations, Particularly vulnerable tribal group, Performing arts, Press snippets, Quotes, Revival of traditions, Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Tips, Video resources - external, Worship and rituals | Comments Off on Tip | Find press reports on India’s tribal heritage and democracy: Journalism without Fear or Favour, The Committee to Protect Journalists & United Nations

India’s tribal, folk and devotional music: Secular and ceremonial songs – An overview

Posted on 06/11/2020 by website administrator

Excerpt from Chapter XVI Music (pp. 212-242) “Tribal, Folk and Devotional Music” by NA Jairazbhoy in AL Basham (ed.). A Cultural History of India. London: Oxford University Press, 1975, pp. 234-237. TRIBAL, FOLK, AND DEVOTIONAL MUSIC Classical music is the most refined … Continue reading →

Posted in Adivasi / Adibasi, Anthropology, Audio resources - external, Cultural heritage, Customs, Figures, census and other statistics, History, Literature and bibliographies, Maps, Media portrayal, Misconceptions, Modernity, Music and dance, Musicology, Quotes, Seven Sister States, Worship and rituals | Comments Off on India’s tribal, folk and devotional music: Secular and ceremonial songs – An overview