“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
Manjul Bajaj, Outlook Magazine, 14 February 2014 | Read the full review here >> Witchcraft and tribal rituals loop through Santhal lives in a Jharkhand doctor’s richly textured debut novel. Hansda Sowendra Shekhar’s debut novel The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey is a loving and careful recounting of the Santhal way of life. Spanning several decades … Read more
Jharkhandi Bhasha Sahitya Sanskriti Akhra, a socio-cultural outfit, felicitated 20 tribal writers — two each from 10 native tongues and dialects — during the inauguration of the outfit’s 3rd Maha Sammelan. The two-day (7th & 8th September 2013) event kicked off at Central Library Hall of Ranchi University this afternoon. Authors from Delhi and other … Read more
Call for Support: Adivaani—Publishing the Adivasi Voice Adivaani is a new publishing house from Kolkata, which describes itself as a response to the endangered Adivasi cultural and historical heritage. For long, mainstream publishing in India has neglected the documentation and publication of Adivasi languages and culture, except perhaps in the academic discussions of subaltern studies. The Adivasi … Read more
The main aspects of the lecture held on 23rd February, 2013 What are practical problems I faced while translating the play, for instances Bengali terms, thoughts, feeling etc. Tagore’s play ‘Raktakarabi’ which was written almost 90 years ago and still relevant with modern time, why is it also relevant to Santal world view especially with their life and nature, despite the belief … Read more
Oprom do cet’ tin…? What is my identity…? Joidhon Soren lies, limp and listless, on a railway hospital bed. It is one of the big hospitals of the industrial town of Mahuapara, so his condition is clearly serious. He is delirious and mutters incoherently. His eyes are fixed on the ceiling with an unblinking stare … Read more