Anthropology / Bastar / Central region – Central Zonal Council / Crafts and visual arts / Eco tourism / Ecology and environment / Economy and development / Elephant / Globalization / Media portrayal / Misconceptions / Modernity / Museum collections - general / Nature and wildlife / Photos / Quotes / Tiger / Tourism / Western region –  Western Zonal Council

Elephants & tigers: Recurring motifs and issues for India’s tribal communities

“The tribals I was told about are elephant people. As far back as any one can remember, they have taken care of elephants. They understand elephants as no one else …

Anthropology / Central region – Central Zonal Council / Colonial policies / Community facilities / Crafts and visual arts / Cultural heritage / Dress and ornaments / Eastern region – Eastern Zonal Council / Ecology and environment / Education and literacy / Games and leisure time / Government of India / Health and nutrition / History / Homes and utensils / Libraries / Museum collections - India / Musicology / Names and communities / Networking / Nilgiri Biosphere / Northern region – Northern Zonal Council / Organizations / Photos / Quotes / Regions of India – Tribal heritage & indigenous knowledge / Revival of traditions / Seven Sister States & Sikkim – North Eastern Council / Southern region – Southern Zonal Council / Tourism / Western region –  Western Zonal Council

Architectural marvels from different communities: Tribal Habitat, “a laboratory for various practical experiences” (National Museum of Mankind, IGRMS Bhopal) – Madhya Pradesh

This exhibitions includes the unique dwelling types of architectural marvels from different tribal communities from the Gangetic plains of Uttaranchal, lush green forest areas of North-east India, the arid region …

Colonial policies / Cultural heritage / Education and literacy / Figures, census and other statistics / Games and leisure time / Gandhian social movement / Government of India / Health and nutrition / History / Museum collections - India / Organizations / Photos / Press snippets / Rural poverty / Seasons and festivals / Western region –  Western Zonal Council

Mahatma Gandhi’s educational initiative for tribal areas facing serious neglect: Tribal Research and Training Institute at Gujarat Vidyapith (Ahmedabad) – Gujarat

Set up in 1962, the Institute carries out studies on the life, culture and economy of the tribal people of Gujarat . It has done extensive documentation and created a …

Adivasi / Adibasi / Colonial policies / Community facilities / Cultural heritage / De- and re-tribalisation / Democracy / Eastern region – Eastern Zonal Council / Education and literacy / History / Languages and linguistic heritage / Literature - fiction / Literature and bibliographies / Museum collections - India / Names and communities / Networking / Organizations / Press snippets / Quotes / Revival of traditions / Rights of Indigenous Peoples / Rural poverty / Storytelling / Success story / Tagore and rural culture / Western region –  Western Zonal Council / Worship and rituals

Mahasweta Devi: Bhasha’s life time mentor remembered at the Adivasi Academy Tejgadh – Gujarat

An indefatigable crusader for tribal rights, eminent litterateur Mahasweta Devi was keen to be laid to rest at Tejgadh, a tribal village in Gujarat and also the site of the …

Anthropology / Customs / Eco tourism / Economy and development / Figures, census and other statistics / Government of India / History / Modernity / Names and communities / Nature and wildlife / Organizations / Performing arts / Quotes / Revival of traditions / Storytelling / Tiger / Tribal identity / Western region –  Western Zonal Council

Video | “The Siddis: A Forgotten People”: UN in Action – Gujarat

United Nations – Gujarat in western India is home to more than 20,000 Siddis [Sidhi], an ethnic group of African descent. But today, many live on the fringes of society in …

Adivasi / Adibasi / Archaeology / Central region – Central Zonal Council / Colonial policies / Crafts and visual arts / Cultural heritage / Eastern region – Eastern Zonal Council / Fashion and design / Gandhian social movement / History / Homes and utensils / Modernity / Names and communities / Nature and wildlife / Nilgiri Biosphere / Northern region – Northern Zonal Council / Press snippets / Quotes / Regions of India – Tribal heritage & indigenous knowledge / Sacred grove / Seven Sister States & Sikkim – North Eastern Council / Southern region – Southern Zonal Council / Storytelling / Tips / Tourism / Trees / Western region –  Western Zonal Council / Worship and rituals

Map | A virtual journey across time and space

Whatever our own cultural background, there are amazing discoveries to be made, for India’s youth just as for scholars and visitors from all over the world! Learn more about – and from – …

Adivasi / Adibasi / Anthropology / Community facilities / Museum collections - India / Music and dance / Musicology / Names and communities / Quotes / Revival of traditions / Video contents / Western region –  Western Zonal Council / Worship and rituals

Video | South Gujarat tribal music documentation by Bhasha – Gujarat

Watch two brief excerpts from the archive of Bhasha’s video documentation team This documentation was undertaken at the campus of the Adivasi Academy to document the cultural practices as well …