Kudumbashree’s ‘Jana Galsa’ to give tribal art forms a new lease of life

The Kudumbashree mission has launched a new initiative ‘Jana Galsa’ in an attempt to breathe new life into tribal art forms of the State.

Jana Galsa, which means people’s celebration in the Paniya tribal language, is intended to transform indigenous art forms into viable enterprises that can ensure livelihood for the tribal people and bring them income. It will be used as a medium for public awareness campaigns and even integrated into school curricula.

The first phase of the project involves creation of a comprehensive directory of tribal art forms and artistes across the State through a survey, to be conducted through animators who belong to the Scheduled Tribes. The survey is expected to be completed by August 20.

The Kudumbashree plans to set up a State-level consortium that incorporates the art forms that have been revitalised and transform them into models that can generate better employment and income.

The project also aims at using the tribal arts forms for bring about changes in the curricula. Steps will be taken in association with the General Education department to include tribal art, culture, rituals and traditions, and indigenous cuisine into the curriculum to make the younger generation aware of their lives.

The initiative will also be linked to anti-drug campaigns and other social awareness drives. The Kudumbashree’s theatre group Rangashree, along with cultural tourism centres, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, Kerala Institute for Research Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (KIRTADS), and the Folklore Academy will also support the project.