Sahitya Akademi in association with Pondicherry Institute of Linguistics and Culture has launched an initiative to bring out a compilation of the rich tribal oral culture of Tamil Nadu.
As part of the maiden attempt, the Akademi and the Institute brought together a cross-section of authors for a two-day seminar on “Tamil Nadu Tribal Oral Literature” that began here on Friday.
R. Sambath, General Council Member, Sahitya Akademi, said although there were individual works published on tribal people, there was no compilation of Tamil Nadu tribal oral literature published till date. “This is an effort towards bringing together folk stories, songs, love songs, riddles, proverbs of the tribal population. After the seminar, we are planning to publish the research work on tribal oral literature presented by the scholars,” he said.
Mr. Sambath said there were 37 tribes in Tamil Nadu. Of these, the oral literature of 16 tribes would be discussed in the five sessions in the two-day programme. “Oral literature in tribal society has been the basis for the written literature. The main theme of their oral literature is focussed on their relationship with nature.
“How they explored and interpreted nature was told through their stories, song, riddles and proverbs. Many foreign scholars have published their work on tribes in Tamil Nadu. There is no compiled work published. We have invited scholars in Tamil Nadu working on the language use, structure in the songs, proverbs, and stories by the different tribes in Tamil Nadu,” Mr. Sambath added.
The oral literature of tribes, including Mannaan, Muthuvar, Neelagiri Irular, Iravalar, Paliyar, Narikkuravar, Kattunaikan, Malaikkuravar, Koththar, Kaanikkaarar, Kaanikaarargalin Saathupaadalgal, Mullukkurumbar, Thondaimandala Irular, Malayali, and Toda were discussed.
K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, K. Nachimuthu, Convener, Tamil Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, S. Bhakthavathsala Bharathi, Director, Pondicherry Institute of Linguistics and Culture, and A.S. Ilangovan, Officer-in-Charge, Sahitya Akademi, Chennai, were present.
A book exhibition of the Sahitya Akademi was also held at the venue in Pondicherry Institute of Linguistics and Culture.
