The country’s vanishing tribal languages, oral traditions, indigenous art forms and traditional knowledge will be the focus of a new five-year collaboration between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), aimed at creating systematic documentation and preservation mechanisms for the country’s diverse tribal heritage.
“The MoU envisages support for sustainable livelihood programmes for tribal artisans and performers by providing opportunities on national and international platforms, including exhibitions and workshops.
It also provides for academic exchanges, knowledge-sharing and capacity-building programmes focusing on the history, culture and social development of tribal communities,” he said, asking not to be named. He further said that another significant component will be the development of dedicated galleries and state-of-the-art digital museums showcasing tribal arts and artefacts, as well as the historical contribution of tribal communities to India’s freedom struggle. The secretary further said that the MoU says the arrangement will not affect recognised or vested traditional and community rights of tribal communities and keepers of traditional knowledge relating to folklore, languages, art forms, oral traditions, traditional medicines, technologies and customary practices.
