Munda martial arts – Jharkhand

The Munda community of Jharkhand performs the Paika Dance. It is a stylized representation of the rituals connected with the preparations of war. The dancers hold bows, arrows, spears, swords and shields and the dance is, in fact a stylized worship of arms. […] Previously the dance was performed to welcome guests, but nowadays it … Read more

“Tribal communities are a standing example” – National workshop highlights the role of tribal women in the preservation of eco historic cultural heritage in India

Mari Marcel Thekaekara, writer and Co-founder of ACCORD-Nilgiris says the tribal communities are a standing example of how women play a major role in preservation of eco historic cultural heritage in India “Once, I was walking with this young tribal girl through the forest and we stumbled upon a tuber. She plucked it, cut the … Read more

An exemplary life story – Dr. Munda remembered for integrating tradition into modern-day life

Musician, linguist, writer, scholar, educationist, institution-builder, tribal activist — and a key figure in creation of Jharkhand — Ram Dayal Munda passed away in Ranchi on September 30 at the age of 72. […] Dr. Munda believed strongly that the Adivasis would survive only if their culture continued to flourish: Nachi se banchi (Dance to … Read more

eBook | Creation of Night and Day (Rathwi) – A story from Gujarat

Long, long ago there was a time when the sun would shine all along in the sky and there would always be light on earth …

Adivasi music – bibliography

Audio-resource-link: The Muria and Maria Gonds of Madhya Pradesh – audio examples and information >> Babiracki, C.M., ‘Tribal music in the study of great and little traditions of Indian music’. In: B. Nettl (ed.), Comparative musicology and anthropology of music. Chicago, 1990. Bhattachary S., 5., Ethno-musicology and India. Calcutta,1968. Deva, B.C., Musical instruments. Delhi, 1977. … Read more