Pulayar music – Tamil Nadu

The hill-tribes have a natural fondness for music and they are known for the preservation of ancient culture. The Pulayar tribe describe their melodies as talams. According to them, their melodies are derived from the cooing of birds such as kanamayil, Kanakkozhi. Talam and melodies are named after their deities. Karaganachi talam, Mangalanada talam, Kundhanada … Read more

Pulayar community – Kerala, Karnataka & Tamil Nadu

The Pulayar, also Pulaya, or Pulayas or Holeya or Cheramar, are one of the main social groups found in Kerala, Karnataka and in historical Tamil Nadu or Tamilakam Traditions Their marriage rituals were described by Edgar Thurston. Nowadays many of these customs have fallen into disuse. Traditionally women of this caste are more independent compared … Read more

eBook & eLearning | Highlighting the Santal’s autonomous aesthetics on a national level: Rare exhibits and photographs of music and puppetry from Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal – National Museum New Delhi

Source: Sacred Record by Suanshu Khurana, Indian Express, New Delhi, April 26, 2015Address: https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/sacred-record/Date Visited: 19 February 2021 Documenting the rich and distinct traditions of the Santal tribe, an ongoing exhibition at the National Museum here, shows these musical traditions and their expression in a changing landscape. National Museum, Crafts Museum, Museum Rietberg (Zurich) and … Read more

Video | Santal Puppetry documented by Daricha Foundation: Chadar Badni (Chadar Badar) by Sahadev Kisku & group –  Jharkhand & West Bengal

Chadar Bad(o)ni is a form of traditional Santal puppetry, practised by just a few members of the community. Performance by Sahadev Kisku and his group. Chadar Badni often referred to as Chadar Badar is a unique form of puppetry that is practiced by just a few members of the Santal community. Practically extinct among the … Read more

Video | “Banam Raja”: Lutes and fiddles by Adivaani – Jharkhand and West Bengal

Banam Raja from adivaani on Vimeo. Banams are the lutes and the fiddles of the Santal people. They are made from locally available material–wood, vegetables and animal hide. The most common banams still made and played by Santals are the Dhodro Banam, the Reta Banam and the Phentor Banam. […]