Kolkata, August 11
All India Tribal Writers‘ Meet was organized by Sahitya Akademi, on the occasion of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav at the Sahitya Akademi Auditorium. 4, D. L. Khan Road, Kolkata. The meet was inaugurated by Professor Damayanti Beshra, eminent Santali writer, and Padmashree awards. Sri Debi Prasanna Pattanayak, Madan Mohan Soren, Laxman Gaikwad, Dr. K. Srecnivasarno, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Sessions with discussions, poetry reading, and short story leading were organized.
On the second day, the title of the fourth session was “Writings by Women in Indian Indigenous Languages“. In the session, noted writers and scholars like Pushpa Gavit, Vandana Tete, Cliukey Bhutiya and Dhanya Vengacheiy presented papers with Ms. Ushakimn Atram in the chair. Chukey Bhutiya spoke on the lack of translation ol’Adivasi writings. She spoke in detail about the life and works of major North Eastern tribal writers of India. Pushpa Gavlt spoke on the literary writings of the women writers belonging to the tribes of Maharashtra.
Dhanya Vengachery spoke on the marginalization of tribal culture. She referred to important women tribal writers of Kerala. She also spoke on the encroachment of tribal lands as well as other resources.
Ms. Vandnna Tete spoke on the traditional knowledge systems of tribals which helped them in times of natural disasters. She regretted the fact that many tribals are abandoning their traditional culture and embracing the mainstream dominant cultures nowadays. Ms. Ushakiran Atram, while speaking from the chair, focused on tribal folk literature as well as different types of songs for different types of life events. She informed the audience that in Adivasi society, derogatory words are not used while referring to women. She threw light on the difference between tribal culture and other mainstream dominant cultures. ln, the liflh session. Roshan Ramdas Jambu (Korku), Lanbon Kabul (Kabul), Ananda Gopal Hansda (Mahali), Salomi Ekka (Mundari), Shanti Moyee Chiran (Caro). Sajjnd Ali Shujaat (Purgi) and Altuf Salim Tadnvi (Tadavi) read out poems in Hindi/English translations with Vasamalli K. (Toda) in the chair. ln the sixth session, papers were presented on the topic of “Preservation and Development of Indian Indigenous Languages” by noted scholars like Sri Wichamdinbo and Ms. Jaincy John with Ms. Damayanti Beshra in the chair. Sri Wichamdinbo spoke on the notions of preservation, documentation, maintenance, and revitalization. He stressed the importance of grammarians and collectors of indigenous texts. Ms. Jaincy John spoke about the tribal languages of Kerala. She focused on the cultural performance of the tribals of Kerala. She opined that usage of tribal languages should be increased. Sri Roshan Chaudhnri (Cliauclhari) and Sri Suboclh Hansdah spoke on the occasion as well. They also informed the audience of their experiences in this regard. In the seventh session, noted poets like Paominson Khongsai (Khongsai), K. Lalnunzamn (Mizo), Dhaniram Tisso (Karbi), Satyajit Toto (Toto), and Rajeshwari (l-lakkipikki) read out poems in Hindi/English translations with Gosa Painter (Pawari) in the chair. On both days, Sahitya Akademi books were exhibited and were available for sale.
