eJournal | State sponsored tribal festivals: New visibility, modernization and commercialisation of indigenous culture – Odisha

Introduction: Some considerations on dance in tribal India (Excerpts pp. 126-127) The symbolic and ritual use of dance in the Indian Subcontinent is so diverse and widespread that we cannot but restrict ourselves here to some general considerations. Acting as a rhythmic order, the dance of gods and mythical heroes contributes to the cyclical adjustment … Read more

Heralding social and economic actions: Hunting and food gathering in Durwa culture – Bastar

Within the world of food collection […] Hunts such as these, all of them taking place in the months preceding the monsoon and involving only men, made me first realize that ‘hunting’ is not synonymous with ‘meat’ or ‘food’, and that there were other connotations attached to the activity. They inevitably involved rituals and, often, first fruit … Read more

Promoting culture in collaboration with other communities: Aimol Custom and Culture Development Organization (ACACDO) – Manipur

Manipur tribe turns to music to preserve culture | Read the full report here >> IMPHAL: Aimol, a Scheduled Tribe community in Manipur with a small population, is on the warpath to preserve and promote its culture, tradition, costume and ethnic social traditions, which are dying slowly. Members of the community celebrated the first anniversary … Read more

“The idea of flux and fragility”: Science-meets-art – Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Islands in Flux Pankaj SekhsariaCurated by Jaya RamchandaniVenue: CENTRAL LIBRARY, PATTO This installation is Pankaj’s attempt at bringing out the fragility of the state of the Andaman and Nicobar islands, with its land, and the sea surrounding it, in a constant state of flux.  Comprising of huge photographic prints, printed on silk, the installation depicts … Read more

The “participatory guarantee system” (PGS Organic Council): A renewed effort to sustain the lives and cultures of indigenous communities – Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Rich Forests: Making a living under the canopy […] PGS has been received enthusiastically in India and elsewhere. The PGS Organic Council was registered in Goa, India, in April 2011. Since then, the Government of India – under the national project on organic farming – has officially launched the participatory guarantee system (PGS India) for organic produce. In India … Read more