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

Books illustrated by Gond artists “known for their knowledge and celebration of trees”: Inviting young children to read, count and live together

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One, Two, Tree! by Anuskha Ravishankar (text); Durga Bai (art); Sirish Rao This visually stunning read-aloud book invites young children to count the improbable number of animals that clamber up an ever-expanding tree. It has been illustrated with art from the Gond tribal tradition of central India–known for its deep affection, knowledge, and celebration of … Read more

The Forest comes to the city: “Vatavaran”, India’s largest festival on environment and wildlife issues – New Delhi

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Kavita Bahl and Nandan Saxena made the award winning film “I cannot give you my forest” | Synopsis | Learn more about their documentary | Festival website: http://vat2015.cmsvatavaran.org Contact Kavita BahlDirector, Top Quark Films Private LimitedDelhi, India099100 37244https://www.facebook.com/pages/Top-Quark-Films/103419556380496 Press reports Coverage of the CMS Vatavaran film festival and the film I cannot give you my Forest: ABOUT THE FESTIVAL … Read more

“Asking, we walk”: A book on listening to the stories of those who dwell there

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Asking, we walk: The South as New Political Imaginary: Edited by Corinne Kumar; Streelekha Publications, 33/1-9, Thyagaraj Layout, Jaibharath Nagar, Bangalore-560033. Rs. 2400. Sruthi Krishnan, The Hindu, 12 November 2013 Reading the fourth book of the series ‘Asking, we walk: the south as new political imaginary’ is like roaming the streets of a busy hamlet … Read more

Remembering the “Honorary Santal named Rabindranath Tagore”: Writers and artists recall his courageous response in the face of injustice

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Anjana Basu, Outlook (Opinion), 13 October 2015  […] The odd thing was that it all started in Santhal land where an honorary Santhal named Rabindranath Tagore threw  his knighthood in the face of the British Government — albeit politely — on the heels of a massacre. ‘Advasi’ from Shekhar’s point of view equals entertainer of some … Read more

The Dasai Parab festival celebrated by the Santals in October: A large mural created by village artists to express their cultural identity – West Bengal

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Dasai The Dasai Parab, celebrated in October, goes back to a period in history when the Santals had to defend themselves and hide their identity behind masks. During the festival not much of this martial spirit is left. The men dance with peacock feathers adorning their turbans. Some even dress up as women or wear … Read more