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

Cadence and Counterpoint, Documenting Santal Musical Traditions: An exhibition and publication “conferring upon ethnic and tribal art recognition and dignity” – New Delhi

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SHAILAJA TRIPATHI, The Hindu, April 23, 2015 “An extensive exhibition of Santhal music explores the changing face of the distinct tradition and why we need to restore it to its original form” The exhibition at the National Museum till May 17 On 15 April 2015 the exhibition “Cadence and Counterpoint: Documenting Santal Musical Traditions” was … Read more

Adivaani’s Santal Creation Myth at the National Museum – New Delhi

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Photos and information courtesy Dr. Ruchira Ghose and Project Management Unit, National Museum © 2015 Adivaani’s co-founder Ruby Hembrom provided help and advice for the displays at the National Museum New Delhi during the recent exhibition on Santal music. | For more information and slideshow, click here >>

eJournal | Lokaratna eMagazine – Odisha

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Lokaratna is a refereed e-journal of the Folklore Foundation, Bhubaneswar, Odisha in India. The purpose of the journal is to explore the rich cultural tradition of Odisha for a wider readership as well as to explore the global cultural understanding through this effort. Any scholar across the globe interested in contributing on any aspect of … Read more

Leisure time in a Santal village: A large mural created by village artists to express their cultural identity – West Bengal

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Enjoying Palm Juice At the end of a village three Santal men sit under a Banyan tree and are happily drinking fermented juice of the tal, a commonly seen palm tree. In the summer, the men climb on the trees to collect the refreshing juice from the tree’s buds in earthen pots. A goat is … Read more

Creator of stylized ornate statuettes to be played as instruments: Santal master craftsman Som Murmu – West Bengal

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To read the full article or view more photos and video clips, click here >> Som Murmu, a 60 year old Santal cultivator and master craftsman from Birbhum, has been a wood carver for over forty years.  In his youth, he tried his hand working with various media including straw, bamboo, clay tiles, asbestos and … Read more