“We want our young generation to be rooted in our specific culture and to have good opportunities to take their fate into their own hands. Using our language is essential. What alphabet we use in school, matters less. We tell our students about Ol-chiki [the Santali alphabet invented in 1925 and one of India’s 22 official languages since 2004] – encouraging, but not forcing them to learn it.”– Boro Baski in “The pros and cons of Ol-chiki” (D+C Development and Cooperation, e-Paper April 2021)
https://www.dandc.eu/sites/default/files/pdf_files/dc_2021-04.pdf
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=21581
In Ranchi, trained social worker Praveer Peter’s project was the discussion of identity issues with Sarna tribal youth from rural backgrounds who had come to the city to study further. Between rural and urban cultures, and tribal and mainstream religious cultures he found this group confused and alienated. Using films and songs on migration, displacement of adivasis … Read more
Amutha Kannan, The Hindu, COIMBATORE, July 28, 2011 On the one hand, the languages spoken by tribal people have only an oral script and due to the non-literary nature there is no documentation of the grammar of the language. On the other, since there is very negligible number of people speaking these languages, they are not even … Read more
D. Radhakrishnan, The Hindu, Udhagamandalam, February 14, 2012 Responding to an invitation extended by the local station of the All India Radio and Coimbatore Doordarshan, dance and music troupes of different tribal communities — Todas, Kotas, Paniyas, Irulas, Kurumbas and Kaatunaikers — from different parts of the Nilgiris district landed here to showcase their graceful dance … Read more
Amutha Kannan, The Hindu, COIMBATORE, June 26, 2010 The cultural programmes performed so far at the World Classical Tamil Conference can be classified into any one of the art forms, viz., classical or folk. But, the group that performed in the open area in front of the main CODISSIA exhibition hall on Saturday evening did not … Read more
Event Teachers at Vidya Vanam draw their syllabus from local traditions and folklore to teach tribal children in Anaikatti, environmental studies, history and even mathematics, discovers Akila Kannadasan Our students are like sponges; fresh and open to new ideas. With very little distractions, they are able to focus and learn with just a bit of … Read more