Storytelling

“Having grown up within the largely oral Khasi community in Meghalaya, whose creative expressions mainly comprised song and “iathoh khana” (storytelling), it puzzled me that, in none of the canonical creative writing textbooks, had I come across a discussion on the influences of oral storytelling on craft.” – Janice Pariat in “Decolonising creative writing: It’s about not conforming to techniques of the western canon” (Scroll.in, 4 July 2021)
https://scroll.in/article/999215/decolonising-creative-writing-its-about-not-conforming-to-techniques-of-the-western-canon
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=3382

A hill in Kanyakumari district named after Tiruvalluvar: Revered as ancient king among the Kaani of Kanyakumari district – Tamil Nadu

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It is interesting to learn that a hill in Kanyakumari district is named after Tiruvalluvar  Heard of a hill dedicated to Tiruvalluvar? The Kanyakumari Historical and Cultural Research Centre recently brought to light the existence of Valluvan Kal Potrai in Koovaikkadu hamlet, Surulodu panchayat, Kalkulam taluk, Kanyakumari district. The author, along with two others, went … Read more

Video | Gumla’s Jharkhand Tribal Museum: An interactive approach to the culture, music and art of 32 tribes – Jharkhand

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Date Visited: 13 March 2024 […] Ranchi Jesuits are now [2012] working on a revamp of Gumla’s Jharkhand Tribal Museum, spending Rs 1 crore on a cultural corridor, a boutique store and a hall depicting evolution of tribal groups of the state. Jesuits led by Belgian priest Father P.P. Vaneffel had set up the museum … Read more

Video | Portraits of Dayamani Barla known as the “Iron Lady of Jharkhand”

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Ballad of Resistance is a video portrait of indigenous tribal journalist and activist Dayamani Barla, her perseverance and tireless fight against corporations and the state machinery. The film follows how she, from a humble background became one of the pioneering adivasi journalists of India and later a writer-activist. Her current leadership in the Anti Displacement … Read more

“Woodsmoke and Leafcups”: A book that opens up the full joy of tribal life without romanticisation – Bastar

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The natural wealth with which much of tribal India is endowed is also its bane. The erstwhile Bastar district, one of the largest in the country, was first divided into three, and later into seven parts, each with a separate administrative system. In the guise of bringing governance closer to the people – let us, … Read more

Holistic, respectful and sustainable ways to the future

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The wisdom of an octopus: The importance of hearing stories from the other side, of voices not heard Pankaj Sekhsaria | Read the full story >> [During his presentation at the Student Conference on Conservation Science in Bengaluru in September] Madhu Ramnath, a researcher and author […] shared anecdotes and lessons he learnt from decades of … Read more