A treasure preserved for posterity in Bhadrachalam: A mini museum, library serving the cause of Integrated Tribal Development – Telangana

The Regional Centre of Tribal Cultural Research and Training Institute (TCR&TI) has laid renewed focus on preserving and popularising the rich collection of objects and artefacts of tribal communities at the mini-museum in Bhadrachalam. The mini-museum at the Youth Training Centre on the premises of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) office has a rich collection of a wide range of little over 200 objects that have immense cultural significance.

The collection includes agricultural implements, traditional tools, musical instruments, bamboo artefacts and other exhibits illustrating the distinctive lifestyle of tribal people and their traditions and customs. The TCR&TI regional centre has brought out several books highlighting the glorious cultural heritage of tribal people inhabiting the forest fringe villages in the Bhadrachalam Agency.

Our regional centre has published books titled Koya Thega Samskruti and Girijana Pandugalu to preserve the rich cultural heritage of tribal communities for posterity, says Vasantha Rao, Superintendent of mini-museum.

Some of the books contain the pictures of the exhibits at the mini-museum, he says, adding that the books were being made available to the inmates of the Tribal Welfare Educational Institutions, including Ashram schools, in the Agency areas.

Source: Focus on preserving tribal artefacts – The Hindu
Address: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/focus-on-preserving-tribal-artefacts/article7974161.ece
Date Visited: 17 April 2024

Tribal Cultural Research and Training Institute (TCR & TI) in Bhadrachalam

P. Sridhar, The Hindu, KHAMMAM, June 2, 2013
The regional centre of the Tribal Cultural Research and Training Institute (TCR & TI) in Bhadrachalam has confined itself to mere display of the already collected objects associated with the distinctive lifestyle of the local Adivasis […]

Bhadrachalam Agency comprising 29 tribal sub-plan mandals is inhabited by different tribal groups such as Koyas, Lambadas, Konda Reddis, Yerukala and Yanadhi.

It also represents the unique cultural heritage of the Konda Reddi primitive tribal group. In an effort to promote the rich tribal culture and preserve the glorious heritage, the government has established the regional centre of the (TCR & TI) several years ago in the temple town.

The regional centre consisting of a mini museum and library initially functioned from the premises of the Vocational Training Institute at Yetapaka in Bhadrachalam. […]

The bison horns used by the highly acclaimed Kommu Koya dancers of the Chintur mandal are also kept on display at the museum. However, the range of collection remained more or less static with no new arrivals in the recent past. […]

“Despite the non-availability of technical staff, we have been showcasing the exhibits of the museum at various tribal fairs and festivals to highlight the rich tribal culture,” said Mr Vasanth Rao. “We are taking utmost care to preserve the existing exhibits as per the directions of ITDA Project Officer G Veerapadian to treasure them for posterity,” he said.

Source: Showcasing unique cultural heritage of tribal people – ANDHRA PRADESH – The Hindu
Address: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/showcasing-unique-cultural-heritage-of-tribal-people/article4774646.ece
Date Visited: Sun Dec 20 2015 17:31:35 GMT+0100 (CET)

Integrated Tribal Development Authority (ITDA), Government of Telangana

Constitution of India has given special privileges to the people living in areas that are notified as “Scheduled Areas”. Constitution of India has given special privileges to the Scheduled Tribe community as these are the most underprivileged and living away from modernisation.

Constitution of India gives special importance to protect these underprivileged and vulnerable communities, through the protective as well as developmental articles.

Fifth Five year plan has taken up the detailed and comprehensive study and review of problems faced by the tribal communities. As an off shoot of the same, ITDAs are formed for socio-economic development of tribal communities through Infrastructure development, promoting livelihood activities such as income generating schemes.

About ITDA – Bhadrachalam

Integrated Tribal Development Authority (ITDA) was established in 1974 – 75 under Society Registration Act. It started operating in Khammam and in 1979 ths same is shifted to Paloncha and later in 1993 to Bhadrachalam.

Through a Government Order in 2002, all the departments working in the area of ITDA were brought under the control of Project Officer, ITDA. […]

Population (as per 2011 Census)

Total Tribal Population in the District : 6.56 Lakhs
Total Tribal Population in TSP Area : 5.22 Lakhs

Tribes

Yanadi
Yanadis are one of the major scheduled tribe and they derived their name from the Sanskrit word “anadi” denoting those whose origin is unknown. Yanadis live in symbiosis with non-tribals. Their mother tongue is Telugu. | Learn more about the Yanadis >>

Koyas
The Koyas are mainly inhabiting the hilly areas of West Godavari, East Godavari, Khammam and Warangal districts and are sparsely found in Adilabad and Karimnagar districts.

Koyas popularly call themselves as Dorala Sattam (Lords group) and Putta Dora (original lords). Koyas call themselves “Koitur” in their dialect, like Gonds. Though strongly influenced by neighbouring Telugu speaking people, they retain the typical cultural traits of Koya culture. | Learn more about the

Yerukula
They call themselves ‘Kurru’. They are called ‘Yerukula’ after their women’s traditional profession of fortune telling (Eruka chepputa).
The Yerukala tribe has a dialect of its own which is called ‘Yerukula basha’ or ‘Kurru basha’ or ‘Kulavatha’. It is derived from Dravidian languages, mostly Telugu, Tamil and Kannada.

Konda Reddi
Konda Reddis are recognized as Primitive Tribal Group.
Konda Reddis are inhabiting on the banks situated on either side of river Godavari in the hilly and forest tracts of East and West Godavari and Khammam districts.
Their mother tongue is Telugu in its purest and chaste form and a unique accent.

Lambada
The Lambadas are a scheduled tribe inhabiting throughout of Andhra Pradesh. They are also known as Sugalis.
The Lambadas are the largest tribe in Andhra Pradesh. Lambadas live in exclusive settlements of their own called Tandas, usually away from the main village, tenaciously maintaining their cultural and ethnic identity. |

Source: WELCOME to ITDA
Address: http://itdabhadrachalam.cgg.gov.in/getInfo.do?id=65&dt=7
Date Visited: Wed Feb 17 2016 19:44:43 GMT+0100 (CET)

“We must consider the environmental dimension of justice now. The challenge of climate change is so enormous that it forces us to redefine ‘rights’.” – Droupadi Murmu | Find this and other speeches by the 15th President of India | United Nations on climate change >>

RECOGNITION OF FOREST RIGHTS(ROFR) ACT / Introduction

The Scheduled Tribes who were in occupation of forest land before 13-12-2005 shall be entitled to get rights; as for Other Traditional Forest Dwellers the occupation period shall be for at least three generations prior to 13-12-2005. The maximum extent that can be given to a household is 4 hectares. The Act recognizes Individual as well Community rights.

The Grama Sabha after approval forwarded the entire record with their resolution to the Sub-Division Level Committee (SDLC). The Sub-Division Level Committee under the chairmanship of Revenue Divisional Officer/Sub-Collector scrutinized the records received from Grama Sabha, took up adjudication of disputes if any and forwarded the records to District Level Committee (DLC). After obtaining the approval of the District Level Committee under the Chairmanship of District Collector, the committee prepared the record of rights and issued to the eligible Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers and Communities.

Source: WELCOME to ITDA
Address: http://itdabhadrachalam.cgg.gov.in/WebsiteLogin.do
Date Visited: Wed Feb 17 2016 20:09:19 GMT+0100 (CET)

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