Malayalam poetry to hitherto unexpressed human conditions: “The city’s late discovery of the forest” – Kerala

S Joseph, who introduced Malayalam poetry to hitherto unexpressed human conditions (Meenkaran, Mesthri, Kotta, Identity Card, Chila Irunda Idangal, Aana, Maruku, Pengalude Bible) with very ordinary, pared down words, has wandered through life’s mean streets to reach where he is today. Indeed, he has come a long way as a man and a poet. His grubby backyard … Read more

Video | People of the hills celebrate their annual Wangala festival in Asanang: “We Garos are tuned into world music and culture” – Meghalaya

PHEROZE L. VINCENT, The Hindu, November 24, 2012 | To read the full article and view more photos, click here >> The Garo tribe of Western Meghalaya celebrates the winter harvest with a three-day festival. […] Alva Sangma, the editor of Achik Songbad, a Garo weekly, offered this reporter a lift from Tura. Alva, a former … Read more

“Ours was the original green food”: The joys of African storytelling by Cameron Duodu – Ghana

I just can’t remember what it is. And the more I try to remember it, the more disconcerted I become, because if I should forget anything at all from my childhood, it shouldn’t be that! For storytelling was central to our existence as children. You got up every morning, washed your face, chewed a special, … Read more

Video | Chhau Dance: “A major dance tradition that involves the entire community” – Jharkhand & West Bengal

Prevalent in the tribal belt of the bordering areas of the provinces of Orissa, Jharkhand and West- Bengal in eastern India. There are three district forms of Chhau: (i) Seraikella Chhau of Jharkhand (ii) Mayurbhanj Chhau of Orissa (iii) Purulia Chhau of West Bengal (i) The dances as mainly come from communities known as Mundas, … Read more