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

Learn more about tribal communities in Rajasthan

Posted on 20/09/2020 by website administrator

THE BHILS OF RAJASTHANIn Rajasthan, certain cities are named after the Bhil Kings who once ruled the region. Kota, for instance got its name from Kotya Bhil; Bansara is derived from Bansiya Bhil; and Dungarpur is named after Dungariya Bhil. … Continue reading →

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Chenchu music: “Kinnera” stringed music instrument – Telangana

Posted on 14/09/2020 by website administrator

It was quite a homecoming for ‘Kinnera’ (aka ‘Kinneri’), a stringed music instrument, when it arrived into the Chenchu tribal heartland amid the forests of Mahabubnagar district of Telangana, after decades of wandering. | To read the full article, click here … Continue reading →

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Irula communities: Spread over the three southern States with a language marked by unique features – Tamil Nadu, Karnataka & Kerala

Posted on 07/09/2020 by website administrator

3.4. The Irula Language | Downlowad the full PhD thesis by P. Suresh here >> The status of the Irula language as a separate language from Tamil or as a divergent form of Tamil has been debated by scholars. Irula … Continue reading →

Posted in Customs, Endangered language, Languages and linguistic heritage, Modernity, Music and dance, Names and communities, PDF printfriendly, Quotes, Tribal identity, Worship and rituals | Tagged | Comments Off on Irula communities: Spread over the three southern States with a language marked by unique features – Tamil Nadu, Karnataka & Kerala

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

Posted on 05/09/2020 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, Anthropology, Cultural heritage, Customs, Figures, census and other statistics, History, Literature and bibliographies, 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

Santals as a community: A brief introduction to their culture and approach to development

Posted on 31/08/2020 by website administrator

A brief introduction of Santal life and culture and our approach to developmentby Dr. Boro Baski | Read the full text (PDF, 130 KB): A brief introduction of Santal life and culture and our approach to development >> Santals as a community … Continue reading →

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