Adivasi / Adibasi

“Adivasi [Adibasi] – which is derived from Sanskrit – is applied to the dark-skinned or Austro-Asiatic indigenous groups of India (usually those from Eastern India). It is a commonly-used term in Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha. It is also used by the local Mongoloid tribes of North Eastern India for the migrant workers who were brought in as indentured labourers to work in tea plantations during the colonial period. ‘Tribal’ is a very broad term in the English language, as we all know, and includes all the different indigenous groups of India.” – Santali poet, scholar and translator Ivy Imogene Hansdak (email dated 27 March 2020)
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=23032

Video | Giving a voice to Adivasi literature at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2016: Adivaani’s co-founder and publisher Ruby Hembrom – Rajasthan

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“Silence is not my mother tongue”– Ruby Hembrom, executive director, Aadivani, during the concluding session dedicated to the issue of freedom of speech in India. (reported by Tehelka.com, January 28, 2016) “Equity and democracy run through the Festival’s veins, providing access for all to some of our greatest writers and thinkers along with a space to dare, dream and imagine; … Read more

Depicting the shooting competition that concludes the Santals’ Sohrai or Harvest Festival celebrated in early January: A large mural created by village artists to express their cultural identity – West Bengal

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Sohrai – The first day The most important festival of the Santals is called Sohrai. It is the Harvest Festival celebrated after the rice harvest in early January. The celebrations stretch over several days. The first day is Um hiloah. Every family contributes half a kilo of rice, a young chicken, salt, turmeric powder, potatoes, … Read more

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

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