On November 30 2020, students, activists, academics and well-wishers came together to celebrate the launch of two projects about Adivasi history, resilience, and rights especially in the context of Nilgiris-popularly known as The Blue Mountains—Our Forest Dreams, a storybook, and Our Forest Rights, a music album. The event was co-hosted by Adivaasi Drishyam, a youth led collective media platform and NPVTGF (Nilgiris Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Federation)- a rights based initiative in the Nilgiris led by Adivasis, along with digital partner The Wire. The launch streamed live on The Wire’s Youtube channel here. Both the projects have been produced by the NPVTGF.
Both projects are located in the Nilgiris, a territory that eight tribes call home and exist to bring awareness of local community members to the Forest Rights Act, a historical legislation that empowers Adivasis and forest dwelling communities with land, tenurial and customary rights. In Tamil Nadu, where the Nilgiris are located, a decade-long stay delayed the Act’s implementation until recently. Now, Adivasis are organizing to form grama sabhas, claim their rights, and restore the landscapes that are home to their ancestors. Both projects lend a philosophical and a political approach – emphasizing both why and how Adivasis can claim their rights as forest-dwelling Indians.
The Launch, “Our Stories, Our Songs, Our Forests: Building Adivasi Youth Power” engaged several guests. From NPVTG Federation, youth leaders Lakshmi P and Sobhana K introduced the work. Lakshmi P, singer-songwriter, educator, and youth leader highlighted the particular context of the Nilgiris and the challenges they faced in implementing the FRA. “They try and chase us. We are going nowhere. You must go,” were the lyrics of one of the songs that Lakshmi had sung. The album was also launched along with the book.
Gam Shimray, from Asia Indigenous Peoples’ Pact offered a philosophical reflection on the book and songs, noting that Indigenous Peoples’ relationship to the forest is sacred, and that youth courage and resistance is required for a true Indigenous reclamation of dignity and rights. “All our relationships, with nature and everything, is reciprocal. We know our freedom springs from these relationships. We have come to love this freedom and relationships. ” said Shimray Dr. C Madegowda shared about his work to implement FRA within his Soliga community, facing the complication of Tiger Reserves. “Many people are only looking at the forests and wildlife. They are not paying attention to us, Adivasi people, who have safeguarded all of this.#OurForestDreams is an important narration of our history. And FRA demands that our rights be recognised,”said Dr. Madegowda.. Neeji Saraswati, senior activist from NPVTGF, Ooty, also highlighted that for Adivasi communities, land is the highest priority.
Event hosts, Adivaasi Drishyam and NPVTGF called upon their fellow Adivasi youth leaders to involve themselves in the project. Eugene Soreng, TISS student and Adivaasi Drishyam co-founder, explained, “This book may be about the Nilgiris, but its story is ours as well. While reading it, I felt goosebumps.” Sobha Madhan, the creative engine of both projects urged participants to take the project forward and translate in Adivasi languages. Reflecting on the song lyrics, panel moderator Archana Soreng said, “Our songs, our music, our dance are our weapons and through this we will demand rights on our lands”
Sobha recognised the contributions of more than 40 volunteers and added that this two-year project is now in the public domain. Many attendees expressed their admiration for this youth led initiative and many also wanted to access the book and songs for their children, so that they could teach them about their struggles. The songs were peppy and rejuvenated the audience, connected albeit through digital media. The live stream has been watched on The Wire’s Youtube more than 6400 times so far.
On behalf of NPVTGF and Adivaasi Drishyam,
Sushmita, Independent Researcher-Journalist, TISS/ Majlis/ CJP/ Erasmus University
Nilgiris Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Federation
Adivaasi Drishyam
