Olchiki Script – A Century of Identity

Invented in 1925 by Raghunath Murmu, Olchiki gave written form to the Santali language. Celebrating 100 years, Hon’ble President Smt Droupadi Murmu marked the occasion with a commemorative coin and stamp.

A script that continues to uphold linguistic and cultural pride.

#Olchiki #Santhali #100YearsofOlchiki #MoTA #thepresspadnews

The Art of Balance – Hojagiri

The art of Hojagiri is a breathtaking celebration of control, rhythm, and grace, deeply rooted in the cultural identity of the Reang community. This traditional dance, performed exclusively by women, serves as a powerful expression of discipline and physical endurance.

It is characterized by a unique technique where the upper body remains remarkably calm and composed, while the movement flows from the waist to the feet in gentle, rhythmic waves.

The true marvel of Hojagiri lies in the dancers' ability to maintain perfect balance while performing complex movements. Performers skillfully balance earthen pots, bottles with lit lamps, or plates, often while standing on a pitcher or navigating intricate footwork.

This extraordinary feat is accompanied by the soul-stirring sounds of traditional tribal instruments, including the Khamb(drum), bamboo flutes, and bamboo cymbals.

#Hojagiri #ReangCommunity #Tripura #MoTA #thepresspadnews

Crafted from bamboo and shaped by tradition, the Tirio reflects the Santhal people’s intimate bond with nature. Once a symbol of unity during the Santhal rebellion of 1855, it continues to resonate today as a powerful expression of cultural pride and living heritage.

#MoTA #Tirio #Santhal #SanthalHeritage #thepresspadnews

Discovering the Munda Tribe: A Rich Cultural Heritage

The Munda community, one of India's largest Scheduled Tribes, is primarily concentrated in the Chhotanagpur Plateau across Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal.

Originally nomadic hunters, the Mundas transitioned to settled agriculture while excelling in traditional basketwork and weaving. Their rich cultural heritage includes folk songs, dances, and music, with the Naqareh as a key traditional instrument. Popular folk dances include Jadur, Karam Susun, and Mage Susun, collectively known as Susun and Durang.

As primarily agrarian people, the Munda community celebrates seasonal festivals such as Mage Parab, Phagu, Karam, Baha Parab, Sarhul, and Sohrai, which retain their original cultural significance and connect them to their natural environment and ancestral practices.

#MundaTribe #TribesofIndia #MoTA #thepresspadnews

Meet the Jarawa: One of the world's oldest surviving indigenous communities.

Belonging to the Negrito racial ancestry and living as nomadic hunter-gatherers, they move through forests in small bands, expertly hunting with handmade bows and sustainably gathering forest produce.

Protected under the 1956 Regulation and Jarawa Policy 2004, this Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group receives healthcare support while maintaining complete cultural autonomy—a rare balance between preservation and protection.

Swipe to learn more about this ancient community.

#MoTA #JarawaTribe #PVTG #TriebsofIndia #thepresspadnews

The Oraon Tribe - Language, Livelihood & Celebrations.

The Oraon are one of India’s significant tribal communities with a rich cultural identity rooted in language, land, and tradition.

Their native language, Kurukh, belongs to the Dravidian family.

Settled agriculture forms the backbone of their economy, with paddy as the principal crop.

This is supplemented by wage labour, hunting, fishing, and the collection of Minor Forest Produce, showcasing a well-rounded relationship with their natural environment.

Culturally, the Oraon mark the year with two key celebrations — Sarhul, a spring festival tied to the blossoming of the Sal tree, and the Karma Festival held in September-October, where communities come together for the traditional Karma dance, a ritualistic worship of Karma tree branches.

#OraonTribe #TribesOfIndia #MoTA #thepresspadnews

Where thread meets tradition.

Nestled in the misty Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, the Toda community has been stitching stories for millennia. Their ancient art — Toda embroidery, known locally as pugur or pukhoor — is a GI-tagged craft so intricately made that it creates the stunning illusion of woven cloth, all made with just an off-white cotton base, rich red and black woollen threads, and a single metal needle.

The motifs draw inspiration from the natural surroundings of the Nilgiri Hills — depicting mountains, squirrel stripes, butterfly patterns, and beehive structures, each carrying the essence of the Toda community's deep connection with their environment.

This is more than craft. It's identity, heritage, and resilience — all in one breathtaking piece of fabric.

#MoTA #TodaEmbroidery #NilgiriHills #Tamilnadu #upscwithdaksha

Kolam Tribe — One of India's Oldest Living Tribal Communities.

The Kolams are a recognised Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) settled across Maharashtra, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh.
The name "Kola" means bamboo — reflecting their identity as skilled craftsmen known for basketry and weaving.

They are also known as Kovar.
Organised into clans — Chal Deve, Pach Deve, Saha Deve, and Sat Deve — marriage within the same clan is prohibited.

Their villages, known as "Gudem" or "Pod," have 20–50 households.
Rituals like Jaitur Pooja, Waghai Pooja, Gusadi, and Gavbandani keep their ancestral customs alive, with drumming and bamboo flute playing at the heart of their cultural life.

#KolamTribe #TribesOfIndia #MoTA #upscwithdaksha

Tribes of India | Toda

In the misty Nilgiri hills lives the Toda community — a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group whose culture is shaped by sacred buffalo pastoralism, an endangered language, and the exquisite Toda embroidery (Pukhoor) crafted by women. A living heritage where tradition, livelihood, and identity remain beautifully intertwined.

#TribesOfIndia #Toda #MoTA

The Warli tribe, one of India’s oldest tribal communities, carries forward a rich legacy of art, culture and nature-based traditions. From the iconic Warli paintings to the rhythmic Tarpa dance, their traditions reflect a deep connection with nature and community life.

✨ Witness Warli painting live at Tribes Art Fest
Travancore Palace, New Delhi
3–13 March 2026

#TribesOfIndia #WarliArt #TribesArtFest2026 #MoTA

The vibrant Dhap Dance of Odisha reflects the rhythm and spirit of tribal life in the Mayurbhanj region. Performed during festivals and community celebrations, the powerful beats of the dhap drum guide synchronized movements that bring communities together.

A living tradition that continues to preserve the cultural heritage and collective identity of tribal communities.

#DhapDance #TribalDance #Odisha #MoTA

Rooted in tradition and shaped by time, the Phenglawng is a cherished musical instrument of the Mizo community.

Originally designed with just three holes, it produced simple notes that echoed through folk songs and everyday life. Over the years, its structure evolved, with more holes added to expand its range, allowing musicians to create richer and more intricate melodies.

More than just an instrument, the Phenglawng represents the harmony between tradition and innovation, preserving cultural identity while adapting to new expressions of sound.

@upsccsewithDaksha

#TribalHeritage #MizoCulture #IndigenousMusic #TraditionalInstruments #MoTA

From the forests of the Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve, the Soliga tribe stands as a living example of harmony between people and nature.

Known as the “children of bamboo,” this indigenous community has safeguarded forests for generations, becoming the first tribal group in India to secure forest rights within a tiger reserve.

Through sustainable livelihoods, deep ecological wisdom, and a way of life rooted in balance, the Soligas continue to protect biodiversity while preserving their rich cultural heritage.

#TribesOfIndia #SoligaTribe #SustainableLiving #MoTA #thepresspadnews

Cheraw — The Traditional Bamboo Dance of Mizoram

With rhythmic bamboo beats and graceful movements, Cheraw beautifully reflects the cultural spirit of Mizoram.

Once rooted in sacred rituals, today this iconic dance continues to celebrate tradition, harmony, and tribal heritage on the global stage.

#Cheraw #TraditionalDance #JanjatiyaGarimaUtsav #JJGU #MoTA