Cultivating wild varieties of medicinal plants makes tribal communities self-reliant: Increased demand for Ayurveda medicines – Kerala

Giji K. Raman, The Hindu, KATTAPPANA, August 26, 2014 | To view more photos and read the full article, click here >> Murugan, a native of Kammalankudy in the Marayur sandal division, is a happy man. He was selected the best farmer in the forest division for cultivating the largest quantity of ‘kattupadavalam’ (a wild … Read more

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

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

Designing their own bags: New livelihood options for tribal women – Jharkhand

ARTI S. SAHULIYAR, The Telegraph, Calcutta, Friday , August 10 , 2012 A beam of pride crossed Malanti Devi’s face as she spread a Rs 50 currency note on her weather-beaten palm. She had earned it — not by slogging in the field, but by designing her own jute bag. The 32-year-old mother of two … Read more

Appreciation for conserving the traditional traits of seeds by tribal farmers: “Old Seed Festival 2014”: Sanjeevini Rural Development Society – Andhra Pradesh

The Hindu, VISAKHAPATNAM, April 28, 2014 Malivalasa village on Andhra-Odisha border stood first in conserving 203 varieties of old seed followed by Demuduvalasa with 197 varieties. The farmers were given agricultural implements worth Rs.70,000 on Sunday at the 10th Old Seed Festival organised at Malivalasa in Soova panchayat in Dumbriguda mandal of the district. Several tribal … Read more

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

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