“Was Narmada valley the centre of human evolution?”: Excavations along one of India’s seven holy rivers

Was India home to one or more unknown hominin species, fossils of which we have not yet been discovered? And did they interbreed with the pre-existing hominid groups in the region? There is no definitive theory that can answer these questions but archaeologists agree that most of these scenarios are possible. What they also agree … Read more

Adivasi poetry that “expresses unwillingness and disagreement”: Probing into the culture of the ex-tea garden labourers – Assam

On second day of TLF, session on “Young Tribal Writers; Their Themes, Issues and Challenges was organized.” The session was chaired by Prof. Sivashish Biswas, Assam University, Assam. During the session, five speakers talked about the emerging young writers from the tribal communities. Dr. Jamuna Bini gave some accounts of eminent tribal poets and writers beginning … Read more

Audio & eBook | Kota music and “signs of indigeneity” in the Nilgiri Hills – Tamil Nadu

Listen to “Konjenetre bommeyetre mānte nōṭē” and other beautiful songs of the Kota community (with detailed explanations) on Kota God Song >> Richard K. Wolf (Harvard University) and Frank Heidemann (Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich) | Read the full introduction >> […] Many tribals also engage in activities that articulate tribal values in intra-community and … Read more

eBook & eLearning | Highlighting the Santal’s autonomous aesthetics on a national level: Rare exhibits and photographs of music and puppetry from Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal – National Museum New Delhi

Source: Sacred Record by Suanshu Khurana, Indian Express, New Delhi, April 26, 2015Address: https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/sacred-record/Date Visited: 19 February 2021 Documenting the rich and distinct traditions of the Santal tribe, an ongoing exhibition at the National Museum here, shows these musical traditions and their expression in a changing landscape. National Museum, Crafts Museum, Museum Rietberg (Zurich) and … Read more

Video | Santal Puppetry documented by Daricha Foundation: Chadar Badni (Chadar Badar) by Sahadev Kisku & group –  Jharkhand & West Bengal

Chadar Bad(o)ni is a form of traditional Santal puppetry, practised by just a few members of the community. Performance by Sahadev Kisku and his group. Chadar Badni often referred to as Chadar Badar is a unique form of puppetry that is practiced by just a few members of the Santal community. Practically extinct among the … Read more