SAMVAAD FELLOWSHIP
Profile of Fellows (2017 – 2019)
1 Snapshot of Fellow profiles from 2017 - 2019
Batch Name Tribe State Brief Profile Project Preservation of Betta Kurumba language through developing scripts, 2017 Mr Krishnan Betta Kurumba Kerala Researcher on tribal language primers, dictionaries and magazines MA Hindi, experience as radio consultant and freelance document and Preservation of Chaudhari language through developing scripts, 2017 Mr Vimal Bhai Chaudhry Chaudhari Gujarat report writer for an NGO, author of book on folk stories of Chaudhari tribe primers, dictionaries and magazines Preservation of Wancho language through developing scripts, primers, 2017 Mr Banwang Losu Wancho Arunachal Pradesh BA Social Science, pursuing MA in Linguistics, worked in govt schools dictionaries and magazines Revival of Morung culture in Kiphire area, Nagaland for resolving 2018 Ms. Sumiho Aye Sumi Naga Nagaland MBA Tourism, Skill Coordinator in Kiphire District Collector Office conflict among antagonistic tribes 2018 Mr. Bosco Kashung. T Maram Naga Manipur BSc Life Sciences, President (Maram Student;s Union), Entrepreneur Revival of the practice of Maram Naga Morung life, Manipur Conservation of indigenous practice of salt harvesting in Kiphire 2018 Mr. P. Achumse Sangtam Sangtam Nagaland Lawyer and advisor to Singti Area Student Union, journalist district, Nagaland Preservation and Promotion of Jingrwai Iawbei at Kongthong Village, 2018 Mr. Rothell Khongsit Khasi Meghalaya Former govt servant, Entrepreneur Meghalaya MA Political Science, employed in NGO working for conservation of Preservation and promotion of Oraon Art of Chhatisgarh, Odisha, MP, 2018 Ms. Sumanti Devi Oraon Madhya Pradesh tribes and tribal art Jharkhand PhD, work experience with NGO Bhasha, set up NGO Adivasi Sahitya 2018 Dr. Jitendra Vasava Vasava Gujarat Documentation of Dehvali Bhil oral folktales, Gujarat Academy working on tribal culture Preservation and revival of the vanished language of the Kharam 2018 Mr. Rangla Adam Kharam Kharam Naga Manipur MA Social Work, UGC-Net JRF, Secretary Grace Development Society Tribe of Manipur MA Political Science, BEd Family Counselling, founder of NGO on Conservation of traditional dance and songs of the Mavilan tribe - 2019 Ms Girija C C Mavilan Kerala women empowerment & education of all tribal communities in Kerala Gothra Smrithi Revival of cultural practices and rituals; PURTI - Preserving & Unique 2019 Mr Deepan Digal Kandha Odisha MA Social Science Refinement of Tribal Institutions 2019 Ms Chalak Lowang Nocte Arunachal Pradesh MA, M.Phil, pursuing PhD, research assistant for various projects Documentation of Khappa Folksong- the lifeline of the Nocte tribe 2019 Mr Payam Rajendra Prasad Koya Telangana Tribal social activist, Entrepreneur Revival of traditional food habits of Koya Tribals Revival of endangered musical instruments thus retain cultural 2019 Mr DJ Haokip Kuki Manipur MA Social Work heritage of Kuki tribe MA Social Work, District Youth Coordinator for United Nations Volunteers 2019 Mr Ng Rameson Monsang Monsang Manipur Conservation of the traditional customs and folklores of Monsang tribe (Strengthening NSS & NYKS) 2 Krishnan I Betta Kurumba tribe, Kerala
2017 Fellow
Mr Krishnan from Betta Kurumba tribe from Waynad, is an independent researcher on tribal language and culture. Working rigorously towards this cause, Mr Krishnan was awarded the Fellowship in the year 2017, for preservation of Betta Kurumba language through developing scripts, primers, dictionaries and magazines, that capture folktales and other forms of expression of the language to increase the scope of revival of the tribe’s culture.
3 Vimal Bhai Chaudhry I Chaudhry Tribe, Gujarat
2017 Fellow
Vimal is an MA in Hindi Language from South Gujarat University and is currently pursuing PhD in Hindi from Sardar Patel University, Anand, Gujarat. He has worked as a radio consultant for 4 years in community radio in Tapi District and as a freelance document and report writer for an NGO named Charkha Development Network. His interest area is research and promotion of tribal language and literature. He has also published a book in Chaudhari and Gujarati language, featuring folk-stories of Chaudhari tribe.
With the help of the Samvaad Fellowship, he has taken up a project on developing a dictionary on the Chaudhari language. Along with that, he is also aiming to develop Chaudhari language primer for primary school children and a book on a collection of folklores.
He wants to dedicate his future in undertaking research and documentation on Chaudhari tradition and culture, as well as promote the latter among youngsters.
4 Banwang Losu I Wancho tribe, Arunachal Pradesh
2017 Fellow Banwang is a BA in Social Science from the Government College of Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. He has spent 16 years as a teacher in state government schools. Currently he is pursuing MA Linguistics from Deccan College, Pune to further strengthen promotion of Wancho language. Banwang is pursuing his dream to conserve the Wancho language, with the help of an an NGO named Wancho Literary Mission, which teaches the language in government schools. Banwang has a number of publications on the Wancho language to his name. He has also showcased his work in a number of national and international forums.
Through his Fellowship, he has developed a primer and workbook on the Wancho language and promoted them for inclusion in state government schools curriculum. Banwang has deployed his own resources for his research work and also been the recipient of number from various government and non-government organizations including this Fellowship.
Banwang has been the recipient of several awards including, the 1st North-East Unsung Heroes Award 2019 and the awarded by Red Carpet Social Award Team.
5 Sumiho Aye I Sumi Naga tribe, Nagaland
2018 Fellow
Sumi holds an MBA degree from the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, Gwalior. She has three years of experience in sustainable tourism in the Himalayas, which she discontinued to return to her village to work for the community. Sumi now works as a Skill Coordinator in the office of the District Collector of Kiphire District of Nagaland. She is also working towards registering a society for women called Grassroots Women Empowerment Society.
Sumi’s Fellowship work is on reintroducing the Morung, both physically and culturally, and reinventing its unique culture with a modern interpretation, enabling different conflicting tribes in Sitimi, to find solutions for their common issues
She enjoys travelling and reading in her spare time.
6 Bosco Kashung T I Maram Naga Tribe, Manipur
2018 Fellow
Bosco is a degree holder in Life Sciences and works as the president of the Maram Student’s union.
He is working on revitalizing the Morung life as a means for individuals to learn and practice traditions and keeps their heritage alive. To achieve this, he wants to renovate the existing physical Morungs, document traditions linked to the Morung and encourage youth of the village to put Morung to use. This is planned through discussions with the senior community members in the village, to understand the importance and necessity of Morung. Both youths and elders are being motivated to revitalize culture of Morung among the community.
Bosco keeps himself abreast of the latest developments across the globe.
7 P Achumse Sangtam I Sangtam Tribe, Nagaland
2018 Fellow
Achumse has studied LLB from Guwahati University and is the legal advisor to Singti Area Students’ Union, while he works as a journalist in the “Morung Express”. He leads the apex organization of Sangtam tribe in Nagaland ‘United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP)’ as the General Secretary.
His work as a Samvaad Fellow focuses on revival of the unique indigenous salt harvesting technique, research its medicinal properties and also increase the production efficiency of this traditional practice. This is planned through identification, digging and cleaning of abandoned salt barns, knowledge sharing sessions between young entrepreneurs and youth on the traditional salt making process and production of salt cakes by farmers.
He has also written an article on this traditional salt harvesting technique to create more awareness among the people. (https://morungexpress.com/sangphure-kiphire- reviving-indigenous-salt-harvesting-after-50-years)
8 Rothell Khongsit I Khasi Tribe, Meghalaya
2018 Fellow Rothell holds a bachelors degree in Marketing. He left his government job to set up entrepreneurial venture of his own on bamboo and honey products.
Presently he is the secretary of the Agro Tourism Cooperative Society Ltd, Kongthong and is also the Vice Chairman of the Meghalaya Village Development and Promotion Tourism Cooperative Society Ltd, Shillong. He is also an active member of the socio religious organization of Khasi tribe.
Rothell is working on conserving and promoting the Jingrwai Lawbei (tune created by a mother as a name for her child at birth) in Kongthong village, thus protecting the unique cultural practice which is dying in the region and is practiced only in this village of around 700 people. He wants to conserve this practice through an audio video documentation.
9 Sumanti Devi I Oraon Tribe, Madhya Pradesh
2018 Fellow
Sumanti Devi has attained her masters degree in Political Science. She has been involved in Oraon paintings and sculpture making since last seven years. She also devotes her time with an NGO which works for the conservation of tribes and tribal art.
With this fellowship, Sumanti aspires to conserve the traditional Oraon painting and promote the same among the tribal artists in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha.
She also wants to publish a book on Oraon art, showcasing it’s history and prominent artists.
10 Dr Jitendra Vasava I Vasava Tribe, Gujarat
2018 Fellow Jitendra is an MPhil, PhD in Bhili Cultural Study and holds the position of president in Adivasi Sahitya Academy, Gujarat. He is also involved as an editorial member with the “Adilok” magazine. He has authored 4 books on tribal language, songs and culture. He has seven years of experience working with the NGO - Bhasha, and now he has established his own NGO devoted to culture
Through this fellowship, he is working on documenting and promoting Devhali Bhili folktales of Vasava tribe, especially among the youth population, and incorporating these folktales in university curriculums.
He has identified 6 Kathakar (Devhali Bhili folktales of Vasava tribe) from the states of Gujarat & Maharashtra state. As of now, he has recorded folktales with 3 Kathakars. He is also writing a book on Devhali Bhili folktales of Vasava tribe. He interacted with subject & language expert for understanding meanings of Devhali Bhili words & its interpretations. He has also visited NCERTC, Bhopal for developing curriculum in Devahali Bhili language.
11 Rangla Adam Kharam I Kharam Naga tribe, Manipur
2018 Fellow
With a Masters degree in Social Work, Adam is an expert in peace building. He is Secretary of an NGO ‘Grace Development Society’, Proprietor of Red Panda Enterprises, Managing Partner of Maraki Group and Advisor of Kharam Union, Manipur.
Adam wants to revive the use of the Kharam language through compilation of all words of the language (including rediscovering lost parts) and promote the same. He is doing this through meetings with important stakeholders such as Presidents of Kharam Union and Kharam Baptist Churches Association, to create a common agreement and seek relevant. He is also consulting the elderly group to rediscover original words of Kharam language and document their perspective.
12 Girija C C I Mavilan Tribe, Kerala
2019 Fellow
Girija CC hails from Kannur, District, Kerala. She has completed her Post Graduation in Political Science and also did a diploma course in Food Processing - Value Addition. She also holds an LLB degree.
Since 1990, she has been working for the community, to assist them with the various governmental processes. She has formed her own NGO. Through her fellowship, she intends to preserve the customs and traditions of the Mavilan Community.
In her free time she enjoys reading, singing, writing and travelling.
13 Deepan Diggal I Kandha tribe (Dungaria), Odisha
2019 Fellow
Deepan Diggal hails from Ruda Bidingia village in Kandhamal District of Odisha. He has completed his Maters degree in Social Work and has worked in various capacities in different Government organizations. Currently he is working amongst the tribal population in Kandhamal.
As a fellow, he will be working on his project named PURTI- (Preservation and Unique Refinement of Tribal Institution.)This project aims at preserving the age old traditions (traditional, dance, music, marriage etc.) of the Kandha Tribe, which is on the verge of extinction.
Deepan enjoys travelling and reading books. He is also a volleyball player.
14 Chalak Lowang I Nocte Tribe, Arunachal Pradesh
2019 Fellow Chalak Lowangis an MA and M.Phil. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD. She has earlier worked as an assistant professor at Arunodaya University and Apex Professional University. She has also worked as a Research Assistant for these projects i) Civilization History of Nocte Tribe, AP ii) Digitalisation of Cultural Heritage of AP iii) Political participation of Nocte women.
Through Samvaad Fellowship, Chalak intends to document Khappa Folksong – a prominent part of the Nocte Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. The Khappa song will be documented, recorded, translated and transcripted to English language. She looks up to her tribe as a source of unity and the folksongs as medium to promote brotherhood.
15 Payam Rajendra Prasad I Koya Tribe, Telangana
2019 Fellow
Payam Rajendra is from Telengana and he has completed his intermediate. He has experience of working as a tribal social activist. He is also an entrepreneur and does logo designing and printing.
Through his project, he wants to revive the traditional tribal foods of Koya tribe which is diminishing and being replaced by modern food habits.
He intends to do a research on the ancient food items and record the ancient recipes. He will also form a tribal food club and conduct food exhibitions to inspire and create awareness in the community, about Koya tribal food which is on the verge of extinction.
16 D J Haokip I Kuki Tribe, Manipur
2019 Fellow D.J Haokip is a domicile of Manipur. He is pursuing his Masters in Social Work from Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Regional Campus Manipur (IGNTU- RCM). He has worked with Integrated Rural Management Association (IRMA) - an organization that focuses on livelihood promotion and capacity building among rural women in Manipur. He has been associated with the Kuki Students Organization since past 5 Years. He is the founder Chairman of Miles of Smiles (MoSeS), a local NGO, with a special focus on the environment, natural resource management and skill development of the Youths.
His project intends to upskill youngsters on four major traditional musical instruments such as gosem (bagpipe), pengkul (trumpet), theiphit and lhemlhei. His project also aims to preserve the endangered music of the Kukis, which will bridge the knowledge gap between the elderly and the youth.
17 Ng Rameson Monsang I Monsang Tribe, Manipur
2019 Fellow
Ng Rameson Monsang hails from Monsang Pantha Village in Chadel District Manipur. He has completed his Maters degree in Social Work from Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj,Nagpur University, Maharashtra. He is a social worker and has worked with various organization.
Currently he is associated with the United Nations Volunteers, India as District Youth Coordinator, under the project “Strengthening of NSS & NYKS” for Chandel District, Manipur. Through his project, he intends to preserve the customs, traditions and folklore of Monsang Tribe.
Ng Rameson enjoys playing badminton and has a flair for writing poems.
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