Kurukshetra Magazine June 2024 - 1 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


June 2024  
TRIBAL ART
AND CULTURE
Page 2


June 2024  
TRIBAL ART
AND CULTURE
3 Kurukshetra       June  2024
A Journal on Rural Development 
Vol. 72 | No. 8 | Pages 52 | June 2024
Kurukshetra seeks to carry the message of 
Rural Development to all people. It serves as 
a forum for free, frank and serious discussion 
on the problems of Rural Development with 
special focus on Rural Uplift.
The views expressed by the authors in the 
articles are their own. They do not necessarily 
reflect the views of the Government or the 
organisations they work for.
The readers are requested to verify the claims 
in the advertisements regarding career 
guidance books/institutions. Kurukshetra 
does not own responsibility. Maps used are 
for illustration & study purpose and may not 
strictly conform to the official map. Images, 
graphics and illustrations, wherever used, are 
mostly sourced from government channels 
and are indicative in nature. Final Editing 
rights will vest with Kurukshetra Team.
Sales Emporia : ? Delhi - BM (I/c), Publications Division, CGO Complex, Soochna Bhavan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
(011-24365609); Hall No. 196, Old Secretariat, Delhi 110054 (011-23890205) ? Kolkata - 8, Esplanade East, Kolkata-700069 
(033-22482576) ?? Mumbai - 701, C-Wing, 7
th
 Floor, Kendriya Sadan, Belapur, Navi Mumbai-400614 (022-27570686)  
? Chennai - ‘A’ Wing, Rajaji Bhawan, Besant Nagar, Chennai - 600090 (044-24917673) ? t hiruvananthapuram - Press 
Road, Near Govt. Press, Thiruvananthpuram - 6950001 (0471-2330650) ? Hyderabad - Room No. 204, 2
nd
 Floor, C.G.O. 
Towers, Kavadiguda, Hyderabad-500080 (040-27535383) ? Bengaluru - Floor, ‘F’ Wing, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, 
Bengaluru - 560034 (080-25537244) ? Patna - Bihar State Co-operative, Bank Building, Ashoka Rajpath, Patna-800004 
(0612-2675823) ? Lucknow - Hall No. 1, 2
nd
 Floor, Kendriya Bhawan, Sector – H, Aliganj, Lucknow - 226024 (0522-2325455) 
? Ahmedabad - Sales Unit, Publications Division, 4-C, Neptune Tower, 4
th
 Floor, Nr HP Petrol Pump, Nehru Bridge Corner, 
Ashram Road, Ahmedabad Gujarat -380009 (079-26588669), ? Guwahati – Assam Khadi & Village Industries Board 
Complex, PO.-Silpukhuri, Chandmari, Guwahati-781003 (0361-4083136)
CHiEf EDitor  
Kulshrestha Kamal
SEnior EDitor  
Sukhchain Singh
SuB EDitor  
Akshit Malik
Joint DirEC tor (ProDuC tion)
D.K.C. Hrudhainath
Co VEr DESiGn 
Pavanesh Kumar Bind
EDitoriAL offiCE 
Room No. 653,  
Publications Division,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
Phone : 011-24362859  
Email : kurukshetrajournal@gmail.com
For Subscription Enquiries,  
Grievances, Renewals and Agency  
Information, Please Contact:
Journals unit  
Publications Division, Room No. 779,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM-6:00 PM)
Phone : 24367453, FAx: 24365610
Email : pdjucir@gmail.com
Website : publicationsdivision.nic.in
@publicationsdivision
@DPD_India
@dpd_India
For Online Sale, please log on to  
bharatkosh.gov.in/product, and for  
e-books, please visit Google Play  
or Amazon.
Subscription 
1 Year : ` 230
Contents
5 Innovative Science Projects to
Preserve Tribal Culture
Dr. Nimish Kapoor
13 Theyyam
The Tribal Cultural Dance
Gowri S
19 Vital Role of Tribal Art in
Safeguarding Cultural Identity
Amarendra Kishore
27 Tribal Culture - The Potential for
Global Representation
Hemanth Menon
33 Agriculture Festivals
Integral Part of Tribal Culture
Dr. Jagdeep Saxena
40 Tribal Folk Dances of  
Northeast India
Dr. Samudra Gupta Kashyap
45 Embracing Diversity
Cultural Heritage of Tribes in India
Suman Kumar
Page 3


June 2024  
TRIBAL ART
AND CULTURE
3 Kurukshetra       June  2024
A Journal on Rural Development 
Vol. 72 | No. 8 | Pages 52 | June 2024
Kurukshetra seeks to carry the message of 
Rural Development to all people. It serves as 
a forum for free, frank and serious discussion 
on the problems of Rural Development with 
special focus on Rural Uplift.
The views expressed by the authors in the 
articles are their own. They do not necessarily 
reflect the views of the Government or the 
organisations they work for.
The readers are requested to verify the claims 
in the advertisements regarding career 
guidance books/institutions. Kurukshetra 
does not own responsibility. Maps used are 
for illustration & study purpose and may not 
strictly conform to the official map. Images, 
graphics and illustrations, wherever used, are 
mostly sourced from government channels 
and are indicative in nature. Final Editing 
rights will vest with Kurukshetra Team.
Sales Emporia : ? Delhi - BM (I/c), Publications Division, CGO Complex, Soochna Bhavan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
(011-24365609); Hall No. 196, Old Secretariat, Delhi 110054 (011-23890205) ? Kolkata - 8, Esplanade East, Kolkata-700069 
(033-22482576) ?? Mumbai - 701, C-Wing, 7
th
 Floor, Kendriya Sadan, Belapur, Navi Mumbai-400614 (022-27570686)  
? Chennai - ‘A’ Wing, Rajaji Bhawan, Besant Nagar, Chennai - 600090 (044-24917673) ? t hiruvananthapuram - Press 
Road, Near Govt. Press, Thiruvananthpuram - 6950001 (0471-2330650) ? Hyderabad - Room No. 204, 2
nd
 Floor, C.G.O. 
Towers, Kavadiguda, Hyderabad-500080 (040-27535383) ? Bengaluru - Floor, ‘F’ Wing, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, 
Bengaluru - 560034 (080-25537244) ? Patna - Bihar State Co-operative, Bank Building, Ashoka Rajpath, Patna-800004 
(0612-2675823) ? Lucknow - Hall No. 1, 2
nd
 Floor, Kendriya Bhawan, Sector – H, Aliganj, Lucknow - 226024 (0522-2325455) 
? Ahmedabad - Sales Unit, Publications Division, 4-C, Neptune Tower, 4
th
 Floor, Nr HP Petrol Pump, Nehru Bridge Corner, 
Ashram Road, Ahmedabad Gujarat -380009 (079-26588669), ? Guwahati – Assam Khadi & Village Industries Board 
Complex, PO.-Silpukhuri, Chandmari, Guwahati-781003 (0361-4083136)
CHiEf EDitor  
Kulshrestha Kamal
SEnior EDitor  
Sukhchain Singh
SuB EDitor  
Akshit Malik
Joint DirEC tor (ProDuC tion)
D.K.C. Hrudhainath
Co VEr DESiGn 
Pavanesh Kumar Bind
EDitoriAL offiCE 
Room No. 653,  
Publications Division,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
Phone : 011-24362859  
Email : kurukshetrajournal@gmail.com
For Subscription Enquiries,  
Grievances, Renewals and Agency  
Information, Please Contact:
Journals unit  
Publications Division, Room No. 779,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM-6:00 PM)
Phone : 24367453, FAx: 24365610
Email : pdjucir@gmail.com
Website : publicationsdivision.nic.in
@publicationsdivision
@DPD_India
@dpd_India
For Online Sale, please log on to  
bharatkosh.gov.in/product, and for  
e-books, please visit Google Play  
or Amazon.
Subscription 
1 Year : ` 230
Contents
5 Innovative Science Projects to
Preserve Tribal Culture
Dr. Nimish Kapoor
13 Theyyam
The Tribal Cultural Dance
Gowri S
19 Vital Role of Tribal Art in
Safeguarding Cultural Identity
Amarendra Kishore
27 Tribal Culture - The Potential for
Global Representation
Hemanth Menon
33 Agriculture Festivals
Integral Part of Tribal Culture
Dr. Jagdeep Saxena
40 Tribal Folk Dances of  
Northeast India
Dr. Samudra Gupta Kashyap
45 Embracing Diversity
Cultural Heritage of Tribes in India
Suman Kumar
4 Kurukshetra       June  2024
A 
tribe is a group of people who live and work together in a shared geographical area and  has 
a common culture, dialect, and religion. Tribal life is characterized by comparative physical 
and cultural isolation, simplicity, small group size, low population density, and closeness to 
nature, both physically and conceptually.
The Tribal art generally reflects the creative energy found in rural areas that acts as an 
undercurrent to the craftsmanship of the tribal people. Tribal art is a wide range of art forms, 
such as wall paintings, tribal dances, tribal music, and so on. Tribes have rich and unique cultural 
traditions, including their own language, music, stories, and paintings.
Articles published in this issue cover most of the aspects related to Tribal art and culture in 
India. The article ‘Innovative Science Projects to Preserve Tribal Culture’ embarks to explore the 
transformative power of innovative science projects in empowering and safeguarding the rich 
tapestry of tribal heritage in the country. 
India is a land of cultural diversity also and by embracing the cultural diversity of the tribes in 
India we can foster mutual understanding among people or tribes of different backgrounds. 
The article ‘Embracing Diversity: Cultural Heritage of Tribes in India’ stressed upon the need 
of recognising and valuing cultural diversity to create a more harmonious and equitable global 
community for their collective progress.
As we know that States in Northeast India have rich cultural tribal heritage and  every tribe or 
community in Northeast  has its own set of distinct festivals, most of which centre round sowing, 
harvesting and the New Year. The article ‘Tribal folk dances of Northeast India’ focuses on their  
folk dances which are an inseparable part of the festivals of the region. 
The article ‘Tribal Culture: The potential for Global Representation’ explores the possibilities 
of taking the various tribal arts like painting, dance, weaving to the world stage with global 
partnership. Whereas the article ‘Theyyam: The Tribal Cultural Dance’ delves into its origin, 
the social, economic, political and spiritual relevance of the traditional tribal dance of  Kerala. 
The article ‘Agriculture festivals: Integral part of Tribal culture’ describes about the astute 
connection between the Tribal culture and agriculture festivals celebrated in different regions 
of the country. 
There are over 700 tribes that have been notified under Article 342 of the Indian constitution. 
All these spread across different states and union territories and to cover each and every tribe 
and the contours of their art and culture is a stupendous task which needs volumes of books but 
in this issue of Kurukshetra efforts have been made to touch upon some of the aspects of tribal 
life and their art and culture. Hope that it will give fairly good idea and information about tribal 
life in India. ?
Page 4


June 2024  
TRIBAL ART
AND CULTURE
3 Kurukshetra       June  2024
A Journal on Rural Development 
Vol. 72 | No. 8 | Pages 52 | June 2024
Kurukshetra seeks to carry the message of 
Rural Development to all people. It serves as 
a forum for free, frank and serious discussion 
on the problems of Rural Development with 
special focus on Rural Uplift.
The views expressed by the authors in the 
articles are their own. They do not necessarily 
reflect the views of the Government or the 
organisations they work for.
The readers are requested to verify the claims 
in the advertisements regarding career 
guidance books/institutions. Kurukshetra 
does not own responsibility. Maps used are 
for illustration & study purpose and may not 
strictly conform to the official map. Images, 
graphics and illustrations, wherever used, are 
mostly sourced from government channels 
and are indicative in nature. Final Editing 
rights will vest with Kurukshetra Team.
Sales Emporia : ? Delhi - BM (I/c), Publications Division, CGO Complex, Soochna Bhavan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
(011-24365609); Hall No. 196, Old Secretariat, Delhi 110054 (011-23890205) ? Kolkata - 8, Esplanade East, Kolkata-700069 
(033-22482576) ?? Mumbai - 701, C-Wing, 7
th
 Floor, Kendriya Sadan, Belapur, Navi Mumbai-400614 (022-27570686)  
? Chennai - ‘A’ Wing, Rajaji Bhawan, Besant Nagar, Chennai - 600090 (044-24917673) ? t hiruvananthapuram - Press 
Road, Near Govt. Press, Thiruvananthpuram - 6950001 (0471-2330650) ? Hyderabad - Room No. 204, 2
nd
 Floor, C.G.O. 
Towers, Kavadiguda, Hyderabad-500080 (040-27535383) ? Bengaluru - Floor, ‘F’ Wing, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, 
Bengaluru - 560034 (080-25537244) ? Patna - Bihar State Co-operative, Bank Building, Ashoka Rajpath, Patna-800004 
(0612-2675823) ? Lucknow - Hall No. 1, 2
nd
 Floor, Kendriya Bhawan, Sector – H, Aliganj, Lucknow - 226024 (0522-2325455) 
? Ahmedabad - Sales Unit, Publications Division, 4-C, Neptune Tower, 4
th
 Floor, Nr HP Petrol Pump, Nehru Bridge Corner, 
Ashram Road, Ahmedabad Gujarat -380009 (079-26588669), ? Guwahati – Assam Khadi & Village Industries Board 
Complex, PO.-Silpukhuri, Chandmari, Guwahati-781003 (0361-4083136)
CHiEf EDitor  
Kulshrestha Kamal
SEnior EDitor  
Sukhchain Singh
SuB EDitor  
Akshit Malik
Joint DirEC tor (ProDuC tion)
D.K.C. Hrudhainath
Co VEr DESiGn 
Pavanesh Kumar Bind
EDitoriAL offiCE 
Room No. 653,  
Publications Division,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
Phone : 011-24362859  
Email : kurukshetrajournal@gmail.com
For Subscription Enquiries,  
Grievances, Renewals and Agency  
Information, Please Contact:
Journals unit  
Publications Division, Room No. 779,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM-6:00 PM)
Phone : 24367453, FAx: 24365610
Email : pdjucir@gmail.com
Website : publicationsdivision.nic.in
@publicationsdivision
@DPD_India
@dpd_India
For Online Sale, please log on to  
bharatkosh.gov.in/product, and for  
e-books, please visit Google Play  
or Amazon.
Subscription 
1 Year : ` 230
Contents
5 Innovative Science Projects to
Preserve Tribal Culture
Dr. Nimish Kapoor
13 Theyyam
The Tribal Cultural Dance
Gowri S
19 Vital Role of Tribal Art in
Safeguarding Cultural Identity
Amarendra Kishore
27 Tribal Culture - The Potential for
Global Representation
Hemanth Menon
33 Agriculture Festivals
Integral Part of Tribal Culture
Dr. Jagdeep Saxena
40 Tribal Folk Dances of  
Northeast India
Dr. Samudra Gupta Kashyap
45 Embracing Diversity
Cultural Heritage of Tribes in India
Suman Kumar
4 Kurukshetra       June  2024
A 
tribe is a group of people who live and work together in a shared geographical area and  has 
a common culture, dialect, and religion. Tribal life is characterized by comparative physical 
and cultural isolation, simplicity, small group size, low population density, and closeness to 
nature, both physically and conceptually.
The Tribal art generally reflects the creative energy found in rural areas that acts as an 
undercurrent to the craftsmanship of the tribal people. Tribal art is a wide range of art forms, 
such as wall paintings, tribal dances, tribal music, and so on. Tribes have rich and unique cultural 
traditions, including their own language, music, stories, and paintings.
Articles published in this issue cover most of the aspects related to Tribal art and culture in 
India. The article ‘Innovative Science Projects to Preserve Tribal Culture’ embarks to explore the 
transformative power of innovative science projects in empowering and safeguarding the rich 
tapestry of tribal heritage in the country. 
India is a land of cultural diversity also and by embracing the cultural diversity of the tribes in 
India we can foster mutual understanding among people or tribes of different backgrounds. 
The article ‘Embracing Diversity: Cultural Heritage of Tribes in India’ stressed upon the need 
of recognising and valuing cultural diversity to create a more harmonious and equitable global 
community for their collective progress.
As we know that States in Northeast India have rich cultural tribal heritage and  every tribe or 
community in Northeast  has its own set of distinct festivals, most of which centre round sowing, 
harvesting and the New Year. The article ‘Tribal folk dances of Northeast India’ focuses on their  
folk dances which are an inseparable part of the festivals of the region. 
The article ‘Tribal Culture: The potential for Global Representation’ explores the possibilities 
of taking the various tribal arts like painting, dance, weaving to the world stage with global 
partnership. Whereas the article ‘Theyyam: The Tribal Cultural Dance’ delves into its origin, 
the social, economic, political and spiritual relevance of the traditional tribal dance of  Kerala. 
The article ‘Agriculture festivals: Integral part of Tribal culture’ describes about the astute 
connection between the Tribal culture and agriculture festivals celebrated in different regions 
of the country. 
There are over 700 tribes that have been notified under Article 342 of the Indian constitution. 
All these spread across different states and union territories and to cover each and every tribe 
and the contours of their art and culture is a stupendous task which needs volumes of books but 
in this issue of Kurukshetra efforts have been made to touch upon some of the aspects of tribal 
life and their art and culture. Hope that it will give fairly good idea and information about tribal 
life in India. ?
Across the diverse landscape of tribal communities, innovative science projects are 
being harnessed as powerful tools to preserve indigenous heritage. In an era marked by 
rapid globalisation and modernisation, these initiatives stand as beacons of resilience, 
offering hope for the survival and revitalisation of age-old customs and traditions.
*Dr. Nimish Kapoor
* Author is a science communication specialist. Email: nimish2047@gmail.com
n the realms where tradition meets 
innovation, a profound renaissance is 
underway. In the heartlands of tribal 
communities, where ancient wisdom 
intertwines with modern aspirations, 
a new narrative is being written—one that celebrates 
the convergence of science and cultural preservation. 
This article embarks to explore the transformative 
power of innovative science projects in empowering 
and safeguarding the rich tapestry of tribal heritage.
One of India’s most remarkable characteristics is 
its unity amid variety. The world’s second-largest tribal 
population is found in India. According to data from the 
2011 Census, 8.9% of India’s population is classified as 
tribal. The tribal people throughout the country have 
rich traditions, cultures, and heritage with unique 
lifestyles and customs.
Across the diverse landscape of tribal communities, 
innovative science projects are being harnessed as 
powerful tools to preserve indigenous heritage. In an 
I
Innovative Science Projects to 
Preserve Tribal Culture
Page 5


June 2024  
TRIBAL ART
AND CULTURE
3 Kurukshetra       June  2024
A Journal on Rural Development 
Vol. 72 | No. 8 | Pages 52 | June 2024
Kurukshetra seeks to carry the message of 
Rural Development to all people. It serves as 
a forum for free, frank and serious discussion 
on the problems of Rural Development with 
special focus on Rural Uplift.
The views expressed by the authors in the 
articles are their own. They do not necessarily 
reflect the views of the Government or the 
organisations they work for.
The readers are requested to verify the claims 
in the advertisements regarding career 
guidance books/institutions. Kurukshetra 
does not own responsibility. Maps used are 
for illustration & study purpose and may not 
strictly conform to the official map. Images, 
graphics and illustrations, wherever used, are 
mostly sourced from government channels 
and are indicative in nature. Final Editing 
rights will vest with Kurukshetra Team.
Sales Emporia : ? Delhi - BM (I/c), Publications Division, CGO Complex, Soochna Bhavan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
(011-24365609); Hall No. 196, Old Secretariat, Delhi 110054 (011-23890205) ? Kolkata - 8, Esplanade East, Kolkata-700069 
(033-22482576) ?? Mumbai - 701, C-Wing, 7
th
 Floor, Kendriya Sadan, Belapur, Navi Mumbai-400614 (022-27570686)  
? Chennai - ‘A’ Wing, Rajaji Bhawan, Besant Nagar, Chennai - 600090 (044-24917673) ? t hiruvananthapuram - Press 
Road, Near Govt. Press, Thiruvananthpuram - 6950001 (0471-2330650) ? Hyderabad - Room No. 204, 2
nd
 Floor, C.G.O. 
Towers, Kavadiguda, Hyderabad-500080 (040-27535383) ? Bengaluru - Floor, ‘F’ Wing, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, 
Bengaluru - 560034 (080-25537244) ? Patna - Bihar State Co-operative, Bank Building, Ashoka Rajpath, Patna-800004 
(0612-2675823) ? Lucknow - Hall No. 1, 2
nd
 Floor, Kendriya Bhawan, Sector – H, Aliganj, Lucknow - 226024 (0522-2325455) 
? Ahmedabad - Sales Unit, Publications Division, 4-C, Neptune Tower, 4
th
 Floor, Nr HP Petrol Pump, Nehru Bridge Corner, 
Ashram Road, Ahmedabad Gujarat -380009 (079-26588669), ? Guwahati – Assam Khadi & Village Industries Board 
Complex, PO.-Silpukhuri, Chandmari, Guwahati-781003 (0361-4083136)
CHiEf EDitor  
Kulshrestha Kamal
SEnior EDitor  
Sukhchain Singh
SuB EDitor  
Akshit Malik
Joint DirEC tor (ProDuC tion)
D.K.C. Hrudhainath
Co VEr DESiGn 
Pavanesh Kumar Bind
EDitoriAL offiCE 
Room No. 653,  
Publications Division,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
Phone : 011-24362859  
Email : kurukshetrajournal@gmail.com
For Subscription Enquiries,  
Grievances, Renewals and Agency  
Information, Please Contact:
Journals unit  
Publications Division, Room No. 779,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM-6:00 PM)
Phone : 24367453, FAx: 24365610
Email : pdjucir@gmail.com
Website : publicationsdivision.nic.in
@publicationsdivision
@DPD_India
@dpd_India
For Online Sale, please log on to  
bharatkosh.gov.in/product, and for  
e-books, please visit Google Play  
or Amazon.
Subscription 
1 Year : ` 230
Contents
5 Innovative Science Projects to
Preserve Tribal Culture
Dr. Nimish Kapoor
13 Theyyam
The Tribal Cultural Dance
Gowri S
19 Vital Role of Tribal Art in
Safeguarding Cultural Identity
Amarendra Kishore
27 Tribal Culture - The Potential for
Global Representation
Hemanth Menon
33 Agriculture Festivals
Integral Part of Tribal Culture
Dr. Jagdeep Saxena
40 Tribal Folk Dances of  
Northeast India
Dr. Samudra Gupta Kashyap
45 Embracing Diversity
Cultural Heritage of Tribes in India
Suman Kumar
4 Kurukshetra       June  2024
A 
tribe is a group of people who live and work together in a shared geographical area and  has 
a common culture, dialect, and religion. Tribal life is characterized by comparative physical 
and cultural isolation, simplicity, small group size, low population density, and closeness to 
nature, both physically and conceptually.
The Tribal art generally reflects the creative energy found in rural areas that acts as an 
undercurrent to the craftsmanship of the tribal people. Tribal art is a wide range of art forms, 
such as wall paintings, tribal dances, tribal music, and so on. Tribes have rich and unique cultural 
traditions, including their own language, music, stories, and paintings.
Articles published in this issue cover most of the aspects related to Tribal art and culture in 
India. The article ‘Innovative Science Projects to Preserve Tribal Culture’ embarks to explore the 
transformative power of innovative science projects in empowering and safeguarding the rich 
tapestry of tribal heritage in the country. 
India is a land of cultural diversity also and by embracing the cultural diversity of the tribes in 
India we can foster mutual understanding among people or tribes of different backgrounds. 
The article ‘Embracing Diversity: Cultural Heritage of Tribes in India’ stressed upon the need 
of recognising and valuing cultural diversity to create a more harmonious and equitable global 
community for their collective progress.
As we know that States in Northeast India have rich cultural tribal heritage and  every tribe or 
community in Northeast  has its own set of distinct festivals, most of which centre round sowing, 
harvesting and the New Year. The article ‘Tribal folk dances of Northeast India’ focuses on their  
folk dances which are an inseparable part of the festivals of the region. 
The article ‘Tribal Culture: The potential for Global Representation’ explores the possibilities 
of taking the various tribal arts like painting, dance, weaving to the world stage with global 
partnership. Whereas the article ‘Theyyam: The Tribal Cultural Dance’ delves into its origin, 
the social, economic, political and spiritual relevance of the traditional tribal dance of  Kerala. 
The article ‘Agriculture festivals: Integral part of Tribal culture’ describes about the astute 
connection between the Tribal culture and agriculture festivals celebrated in different regions 
of the country. 
There are over 700 tribes that have been notified under Article 342 of the Indian constitution. 
All these spread across different states and union territories and to cover each and every tribe 
and the contours of their art and culture is a stupendous task which needs volumes of books but 
in this issue of Kurukshetra efforts have been made to touch upon some of the aspects of tribal 
life and their art and culture. Hope that it will give fairly good idea and information about tribal 
life in India. ?
Across the diverse landscape of tribal communities, innovative science projects are 
being harnessed as powerful tools to preserve indigenous heritage. In an era marked by 
rapid globalisation and modernisation, these initiatives stand as beacons of resilience, 
offering hope for the survival and revitalisation of age-old customs and traditions.
*Dr. Nimish Kapoor
* Author is a science communication specialist. Email: nimish2047@gmail.com
n the realms where tradition meets 
innovation, a profound renaissance is 
underway. In the heartlands of tribal 
communities, where ancient wisdom 
intertwines with modern aspirations, 
a new narrative is being written—one that celebrates 
the convergence of science and cultural preservation. 
This article embarks to explore the transformative 
power of innovative science projects in empowering 
and safeguarding the rich tapestry of tribal heritage.
One of India’s most remarkable characteristics is 
its unity amid variety. The world’s second-largest tribal 
population is found in India. According to data from the 
2011 Census, 8.9% of India’s population is classified as 
tribal. The tribal people throughout the country have 
rich traditions, cultures, and heritage with unique 
lifestyles and customs.
Across the diverse landscape of tribal communities, 
innovative science projects are being harnessed as 
powerful tools to preserve indigenous heritage. In an 
I
Innovative Science Projects to 
Preserve Tribal Culture
6 Kurukshetra       June  2024
era marked by rapid globalisation and modernisation, 
these initiatives stand as beacons of resilience, offering 
hope for the survival and revitalisation of age-old 
customs and traditions.
From the misty hills of the Northeast to the sun-
drenched plains of Central India, a wave of innovative 
science projects is sweeping through tribal villages, 
driven by a shared commitment to cultural conservation. 
These projects represent a convergence of traditional 
wisdom and cutting-edge research, embodying a 
holistic approach to preserving indigenous knowledge 
systems. As communities grapple with the challenges 
of environmental degradation, socio-economic 
marginalisation, and cultural erosion, these initiatives 
offer not only solutions but also a reaffirmation of the 
intrinsic value of tribal heritage.
The Department of Science & Technology, under 
the Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India 
and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate 
Change, Govt. of India have recognised the importance 
of preserving the rich cultural heritage of tribal 
communities and has taken significant steps to support 
science projects aimed at this goal. Through various 
initiatives and schemes, the government is actively 
promoting research, documentation, and conservation 
efforts that integrate scientific knowledge with 
traditional wisdom.
Efforts from the Department of Science & Technology
The Department of Science and Technology (DST), 
Govt. of India plays a significant role in preserving tribal 
culture through various science projects that integrate 
scientific research with cultural conservation efforts. 
DST supports projects aimed at documenting 
and preserving indigenous knowledge systems of 
tribal communities. These projects often involve 
collaborations between researchers, anthropologists, 
and tribal elders to record traditional practices, 
medicinal knowledge, oral histories, and cultural rituals. 
By digitising and archiving this information, DST helps 
ensure the continuity and accessibility of tribal culture 
for future generations.
For tribals’ cultural heritage conservation, DST 
is involved in science projects aimed at conserving 
and restoring cultural heritage sites associated with 
tribal communities. This may involve the use of 
advanced scientific techniques such as remote sensing, 
geographic information systems (GIS), and 3D modeling 
to assess and monitor the condition of heritage sites, 
plan conservation interventions, and raise awareness 
about their significance.
DST promotes interdisciplinary research that 
integrates traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) with 
modern conservation science to protect biodiversity 
and cultural landscapes in tribal areas. These projects 
aim to understand the ecological wisdom embedded in 
tribal cultures and develop conservation strategies that 
respect indigenous practices and values. By fostering 
collaboration between scientists, tribal communities, 
and policymakers, DST contributes to the sustainable 
management of natural resources while safeguarding 
cultural heritage.
Through programmes such as the Science and 
Technology for Harnessing Innovations (SATHI) scheme 
and the Science for Equity, Empowerment, and 
Development (SEED), DST provides funding and support 
for science projects that promote grassroots innovation, 
entrepreneurship, and social inclusion among tribal 
populations to empower tribal communities and to 
address local challenges using scientific knowledge and 
technology.
Efforts by the North East Centre for Technology 
Application & Reach (NECTAR) under DST
The North East Centre for Technology Application 
& Reach (NECTAR) under DST is providing technology 
applications through various science projects and 
garnering support for sustainable harnessing of the 
tribals’ cultural heritage. It has expanded honey 
production in Nagaland, produced eco-friendly yoga 
mats from water hyacinth, bamboo-based science 
project and also helped in promoting the bamboo sector 
through value addition and providing market linkages. 
Ancient heritage art of Charei Taba Pottery or Coil Pottery in 
Imphal-East Manipur is being preserved with science projects