Seasons & festivals

“Our boys and girls get an opportunity to set their eyes upon each other during the dance of the Dandari. They also get to interact a little before they can mutually agree to take the matter to the next step. […] As per our customs and traditions the youngsters enjoy liberty in many aspects. It is rare that a selection made during the Dandari-Ghusadi [dance festival] phase gets cancelled.” – Patel of Bandeyer Atram Sone Rao (Telangana), quoted in “Adivasis dance their way to a girl’s heart” (The Hindu, 29 October 2016)
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/Adivasis-dance-their-way-to-a-girl’s-heart/article16085049.ece
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=22436

South Asia’s largest biennial gathering of Tribals: Conferring sacredness upon their ancestors during the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara – Telangana

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ARRIVING IN DUSTY, sun-scorched Medaram in Telangana at the end of a six- hour ride on a special state bus service from Hyderabad, you are acutely aware of entering a vast non-dimensional space. As you walk the raucous grounds hosting the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, woodsmoke, dirt and warbled music swirling all around you, the broad strokes of … Read more

Tip | Santal cultural heritage: Audio and video gallery by Daricha Foundation – West Bengal

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[…] Conceived by Ratnaboli Bose, Project Daricha traces the roots of performing arts like Jhumur and Raibneshe, crafts like kantha and lac dolls, art forms like alpona and patachitra and more. Bose was working with ITC Sangeet Research Academy when she realised there was very little about the traditional art, craft and music of Bengal and … Read more

Tribal customs, homes and ornaments in South India: Videos and photographs

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The Halakki people are scattered across several Taluks of Uttara Kannada district namely Karwar, Ankola, Kumta, Gokarna and Honnavar. Despite exposure to people from the world over some characteristics of their traditional ways are still evident. Contact: +91-9741216491youmailvicky@gmail.comhttps://www.facebook.com/vicky.lakshmanan

Wild food festivals & Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN): The world’s most important food movement

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Enjoy A Feast in The Forest In MaharashtraA few summers ago, I visited Vanvadi forest for the first time. I had just met the environmentalist Bharat Mansata, who asked me to help him photo-document the wild edible plants that grow there. A wise and endearing Thakur Adivasi [Thakar Adivasi] tribal from these parts, Bua, accompanied us; he … Read more

“A multi-tribes state very rich in folk songs, music and dances”: Festivals that promote intercultural connections (February) – Arunachal Pradesh

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[…] “Arunachal Pradesh being a multi-tribes state is very rich in folk songs, music and dances. However, the resonance of folk music and such performances are diminishing owing to the adoption of modern culture into our everyday life,” the deputy chief minister said. The decision to organise the festival has been taken to revive the … Read more