Launch of South Indian Adivasi Knowledge Centre "Kaanu" in B.R. Hills (GS Paper 1, Art & Culture)
Context:
- On August 25, 2024, the South Indian Adivasi Knowledge Centre, named "Kaanu," will be inaugurated at the Tribal Health Resource Centre (THRC) in B.R. Hills, Karnataka.
- The centre is named "Kaanu," which means "evergreen forest" in both Kannada and the Soliga language, reflecting its commitment to preserving and celebrating the rich cultural and historical heritage of South Indian Adivasi communities.
Objectives of Kaanu:
- Kaanu aims to be the premier repository and research hub for the past, present, and cultural knowledge of South Indian Adivasi communities.
- Its mission is to create a comprehensive and accessible "tree of knowledge" dedicated to these communities.
Structure and Components:
- Library: The centre will feature a library housing publications about and by tribal communities from Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. It is designed for use by researchers, scholars, and the general public interested in Adivasi history and culture.
- Kaanu Annotated Bibliography: This component will offer an extensive collection of over 1,200 works covering both historical and contemporary perspectives on South Indian Adivasi life. The bibliography will be available online starting in September 2024 and will be freely accessible worldwide.
- Book: A collaborative book co-authored by South Indian Adivasi and non-Adivasi scholars is in the preliminary stages. This publication aims to provide a critical examination of Adivasi history and representation in literature.
Initiative Background:
- The creation of Kaanu is the result of a collaborative effort between leaders and scholars from various South Indian Adivasi communities and non-Adivasi researchers.
- The idea for the centre originated from a writing workshop held in June 2023 at the foothills of B.R. Hills, Muntipalya.
- The initiative has since evolved through a year of dedicated work and planning.
Challenges and Significance:
- Unawareness and Accessibility: There is limited awareness about Adivasi communities outside of their own circles, and existing knowledge is often fragmented and scattered across university libraries and specialized websites. Kaanu seeks to address these gaps by centralizing and making this knowledge widely available.
- Adivasi Perspective: Dr. C. Madegowda, a scientist with the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology & Environment, highlights the importance of integrating Adivasi perspectives into scholarship. The centre will provide an opportunity to critically evaluate and enrich the representation of Adivasi history and culture in academic and public discourse.
Conclusion:
- The launch of Kaanu represents a significant milestone in acknowledging and preserving the heritage of South Indian Adivasi communities.
- By providing a centralized repository of knowledge and fostering a collaborative scholarly environment, Kaanu aims to bridge gaps in understanding and representation.
- It will serve as a vital resource for both the Adivasi communities and the broader public, promoting greater recognition and appreciation of their unique cultural and historical contributions.
