Tribes

Assam-based Kirat Brahma left his decade-long career as an animation designer and returned home to represent his community through Zankla Studio. It makes eco-friendly soft toys that tell stories deeply rooted in the local culture and traditions of the Bodo community.

Artist Venkat Raman Singh Shyam once worked odd jobs to get a square meal. Today, he paints modern Gond art that can be found at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art, the National Gallery in Ottawa and the Queensland Art Gallery.

Former IAS officer Suchitra Sinha launched Ambalika NGO in 2002 to give the Sabar tribes a platform to showcase their weaving skills through lampshades, pen holders, baskets and more

Deepa Pawar’s own experiences as a member of the gadhiya lohar tribe shaped her organisation Anubhuti Trust, a women-led organisation that works for upliftment of India’s nomadic and denotified tribes.

Asif Khan, who runs NGO Naturescape in Chhattisgarh, has built Bambooka, an eco-friendly bambook bicycle that utilises traditional handicraft skills and aims to generate livelihood among the tribal community.

The Halakki tribe has produced Padma Shri awardees like Sukri Bommagowda and Tulasi Gowda. Sadly, their culture is in danger of vanishing.

Deriving its name from the Sanskrit word for ‘dialogue,’ Samvaad, organised by Tata Steel, is one of the largest tribal conclaves or ecosystems in India. It has reached out to more than 10,000 people and 17 countries worldwide.

Skin rashes, frequent fevers and malnourishment are some of the commonly known health problems among the Chenchu tribe in AP’s Nallamala forest. In such a gloomy scenario IRS officer M Mohan Babu and his doctor wife Dr Sravani Deverakonda are a beacon of light

Once at midnight, a patient came with a serious heart attack. I had no proper equipment. There no hospital nearby and critical care was 150km away. I was scared because I knew that if he died, I would be thrown out. But then, if he was treated he had 90% chance to live, and if not, 100% chance of death. I chose the former!"

With just under 4000 of them left in the world, they have long been famous for their distinctive tall and sharp physical features. A unique history of a unique people.