Literature – fiction

“While the danger of extinction looms large over some languages, many other languages have been thriving. For example, Gondi (spoken in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra), Bhili (Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat), Mizo (Mizoram), Garo and Khasi (Meghalaya) and Kokborok (Tripura) are showing an upward trend because educated people in these communities have started using these languages for writing. They publish poems, write plays and perform them. In some of the languages, even films are being made.” – Abhijit Mohanty in “Seven decades after independence, many tribal languages in India face extinction threat” (Down to Earth, 26 August 2020)
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/governance/seven-decades-after-independence-many-tribal-languages-in-india-face-extinction-threat-73071
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=6879

“Yes we still matter”: Native people are – through their strength, resilience and creativity – forcing questions like “What kind of country do we want to be?” – A New History of Native Americans

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THE HEARTBEAT OF WOUNDED KNEE: Native America From 1890 to the Present by David Treuer (Illustrated, 512 pp., 2019) More information about this book and excerpt >> About the author >>  Book review in The New York Times (20 January 2019) David Treuer: A New History of Native Americans Responds to ‘Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee’ | Read the … Read more

Poet Nitisha Khalkho & short story writer Sunder Manoj Hembrom: Oraon and Santali writers’ meet during “Tribes In Transition-II: Reaffirming Indigenous Identity Through Narrative” (National Conference)

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Plenary Session 4: TRIBAL WRITERS’ MEET Chaired by: Prof. Anand Mahanand (Dept of English, EFL, Hyderabad) & Dr. Ganga Sahay Meena (Dept of Hindi, SLLCS, JNU, New Delhi) Nitisha Khalkho, a poet from the Oraon community has written the poetry collection titled Kalam Ko Teer Hone Do. As she read out some of her poems, … Read more

On stereotypes and “three kinds of knowledge” (universal, community and individual knowledge): Papers presented for “Tribes In Transition-II: Reaffirming Indigenous Identity Through Narrative” (National Conference)

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[Bold typeface added above for emphasis] Parallel Session 2: Land, Identity and Tribal Autobiographical NarrativesChaired by: Sandesha Rayappa, JNU, New DelhiPaper Presenters: Mahi S. Thavarathu (JNU, New Delhi), P. Rajitha Venugopal (JMI, New Delhi), Vasundhara Gautam (BML Manjul University, Gurgaon), Rakesh Soni (IGNTU, Amarkantak).Mahi S.Thavarathu, through her paper: “Diminishing the Stereotypes: Re-presenting the Tribals of … Read more

“Silencing a voice nips in the bud the prospect of resolution”: A Santal educator’s case against the banning of a controversial book – Jharkhand

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Discussion is the Need of the Hour, Not Banningby Boro Baski, Anandabazar Patrika , 8 September, 2017translated by Maroona Murmu, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Jadavpur University Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar’s collection of stories The Adivasi Will Not Dance has been in the eye of the storm. On August 11, 2017 the Jharkhand government banned the … Read more

Sahitya Akademi award for “Imaginary Bloom”: Informative and entertaining Santali children’s stories – Jharkhand

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JAMSHEDPUR: A tribal writer from the Steel City has won this year’s Sahitya Akademi award for writing a collection of short stories for children with morals. School teacher Joba Murmu’s collection of 21 short stories in Santhali is titled ‘Olon Baha’ (imaginary bloom). […] Expressing her love for literature, Joba said she has been writing … Read more