The descendants of ancient language-literature are suffering displacement on their own land
Language is our identity, and literature is the expression of our community consciousness. We should never think that we are small or weak people. We, the Adivasis, are the original inhabitants of this country. The rest of the world has learned everything from us. Our language, culture, and civilization are the oldest on this Earth. It is from Adivasi languages that Prakrit and other languages originated. These were the words of Padma Shri Dr. Damayanti Besra. She was speaking at the third Jaipal-Julius-Hanna Award ceremony and the multilingual First Nations indigenous Durang (song) performance event held on November 30, 2025, in Ranchi. The event was organized by the Pyara Kerketta Foundation in collaboration with the Tata Steel Foundation of Jamshedpur.
On this occasion, the poetry collections 'Hirwal Meta' (Gondi) by Vinod Motiram Atram, 'Nirdan' (Sadri) by Shikha Minj, and 'Sirjonre Jivedok' (Santhali) by Aalbinus Hembrom were awarded. While honoring the three Adivasi poets, Padma Shri Dr. Damayanti Besra said that we need to be aware. We were once prosperous and are now becoming impoverished due to issues like displacement. She questioned why Adivasis are always displaced and emphasized the need to resist this injustice.
Dr. Besra further added, language determines who the true natives of this country are. Adivasi languages are the origin of languages like Prakrit and Sanskrit. Therefore, Adivasis are the oldest people on Earth. Our antiquity is unquestionable. Congratulating the award winners, she said that young people writing in their mother tongues proves how strong the legacy of Adivasi language and culture is.
The ceremony, held in the auditorium of Dr. Ramdayal Munda Tribal Research Institute, Ranchi, began with an ancestral remembrance. After this, the guests formally inaugurated the ceremony by playing the 'Nagada' (drum). Gloria Soreng, President of the Pyara Kerketta Foundation, while welcoming everyone, said that the purpose of this award is to provide a platform for Adivasi creators where their voices can be heard, and their creative struggles can reach new heights. This award is not just an honor; it is a medium to recognize and encourage the creativity and resilience of Adivasi society. On this occasion, I first remember my father, Pyara Kerketta, who showed us the path to reach this achievement. The foundation is the seed of his thoughts, which today has become a large tree. Under the shade of this tree, Adivasi literature from every corner of the country is flourishing and spreading new fragrance and beauty every day.
The renowned Adivasi poetess and Secretary of the Pyara Kerketta Foundation, Vandna Tete, introduced the award and the awardees. She said that we established this award in 2022, named after those Adivasi leaders who played a pivotal role in strengthening Adivasi consciousness. People tend to see Adivasis based on their food, clothing, and lifestyle. But language is the foundation of our indigeneity. Oral and written literature expresses this. Adivasi society is lifeless without its language. Language is the basis of our creation and preservation, struggle and survival.
Shikha Minj, the recipient of the Sadri poetry collection 'Nirdan,' said in her speech that the condition of Adivasi workers in tea gardens, who give freshness to the world every day, is very worrying. They work hard for only 250 rupees a day. The people in tea gardens are forced to live socially, economically, and educationally inferior lives. This is what I write about in my poems. There are writers and literature lovers in tea gardens too, but there is no platform to give their creativity a stage and encourage them.
Vinod Motiram Atram, winner of the Gondi poetry collection 'Hirwal Meta' from Nanded, Maharashtra, shared that after completing graduation, he became a farmer. During college, he learned about literature. After coming into contact with senior Gondi writers, he began writing in his mother tongue. Vinod expressed concern that if the younger generation forgets its language, the Adivasi society will lose its identity.
Albinus Hembrom, the young recipient of the Santhali poetry collection 'Sirjonre Jivedok,' also expressed his thoughts. He said that today, we are all in some form of struggle. If I cannot fight, then I am not a Adivasi because we learned to fight from our ancestors. We are fighting for our existence, identity, and rights. Language and literature are the most effective means in this struggle. Our mother tongue is the only one that keeps a creator connected to the wisdom and traditions of their ancestors. No other language has that power.
Shivshankar Kandyang, Manager at Tata Steel Foundation, addressing the ceremony, said that their organization runs several programs to preserve the linguistic heritage of Adivasis. Over 800 centers are running in Assam, Bengal, and Jharkhand to teach in Adivasi mother languages. As a Adivasi person, I understand very well that language is the root of our civilization and culture. If we read in our languages, we will progress faster. Language connects the new generation to the legacy of their ancestors and makes them more capable and empowered.
The second session of the ceremony featured the multilingual Adivasi-indigenous Durang performance program. In this, 23 poets and songwriters from Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Maharashtra performed in 15 Adivasi and indigenous languages. The performers included: Asinta Asur, Roshni Asur, Shraddhanand Asur (Asur); Monika Singh (Bhumij); Vishnu Birhor (Birhor); Birjinia Telra, Samuel Birjia (Birjia); Vinod Motiram Atram (Gondi); Pani Priti (Ho); Nita Kusum Bilung (Kharia); Dinesh Dinmani (Khortha); Dr. Shanti Khalakho, Ruby Bhagat (Kurukh); Ratan Kumar Mahto 'Satyarthi', Dr. Vrindavan Mahto, Gulacho Kumari (Kudmali); Lalit Kishore Nag, Jadu Munda (Mundari); Viki Minj (Nagpuri); Tilak Singh Munda (Panchpargania); Shikha Minj (Sadri); Ledem Mardi, and Aalbinus Hembrom (Santhali). The Ho group from Kolhan, Asur Lur Akhra Jhoibihat and Lodam Pat, and Birjia Lur Akhra children from Ranchi also gave a spectacular performance in music and dance.
During the ceremony, two video songs were released, created by storyteller and filmmaker Ashwini Kumar Pankaj, dedicated to Jaipal Singh Munda and the 'Adi Dharma' prayer song. Ashwini Kumar Pankaj explained that these video songs aim to visually recreate the history and struggles of Adivasi heroes because there is a severe lack of audio-visual material related to Adivasi history and personalities. Even for events and figures from the 50s and 60s, visuals are not available. Only a few sketches have been made, which lack Adivasi art and beauty. Also, the 'Adi Dharma' prayer song had not been presented in Hindi before, but in this new presentation, it is done in a way that reflects the beliefs of all nature-worshipping Adivasis in India.
The award session was conducted by Shanti Sawaiyan, the multilingual Adivasi-indigenous Durang performance session by Ashrita Kandulna, and the vote of thanks was given by Salomi Ekka. The ceremony, which lasted from 11 AM to 6 PM, saw participation from around one and a half hundred people.
Report Presented By: Atoot Santosh