This event in Chennai to speak about cultures submerged by Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam
CHENNAI: When a villagers or community is displaced, people often think about the economic and social ramifications. But a few take into account the cultural erasure. That’s why Kaani Nilam or Ek Potlee Ret Ki, an activist collective, decided to explore that aspect.
On July 11, at 6:30pm, it will present ‘Narrating Cultures Submerged’, excerpts from their journey across the banks of the beautiful Narmada.
The event will be held at CurioPlay in Alwarpet .
“One aspect of our work has been looking at the connection land has to people; how every aspect of a person’s cultural identity is directly or indirectly connected to the land the person comes from,” says Radhika Ganesh, founder, Ek Potlee Ret Ki.
“While talking about the modern development model and the kind of displacement that happens, the first thing that comes to mind is whether they will economically survive, or socially cope. The point of culture never really discussed but cultural erasure is causing an unseen cost that you cannot foresee, even loss of language. Our team has met several tribal people who don’t remember their language because the vocabulary is intrinsically connected to the land, things you can see around you, and that is lost when you are displaced and forced to migrate,” she said.
“One aspect of our work has been looking at the connection land has to people; how every aspect of a person’s cultural identity is directly or indirectly connected to the land the person comes from,” says Radhika Ganesh, founder, Ek Potlee Ret Ki.
“While talking about the modern development model and the kind of displacement that happens, the first thing that comes to mind is whether they will economically survive, or socially cope. The point of culture never really discussed but cultural erasure is causing an unseen cost that you cannot foresee, even loss of language. Our team has met several tribal people who don’t remember their language because the vocabulary is intrinsically connected to the land, things you can see around you, and that is lost when you are displaced and forced to migrate,” she said.
That’s why the collective is looking at culture as a viable argument in the discourse of development and displacement. Can cultural erasure be an argument against displacement is something that needs to be considered.
“Three young colleagues – Kasturi Adhikary, Shatakshi Gawade, and Vinaya Kurtkoti -- have travelled extensively over the past year as part of the project,” says Radhika.
They met the Gond, Baiga, Bhil, Bhilala, and Barela tribes in six districts in Madhya Pradesh, documenting oral histories, discussing dying food and clothing culture and researching forgotten languages.
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