IIT Jammu organises program on ‘Oral Narrative’ of Gujjar, Bakerwal tribes
Jammu, February 26, 2021: In order to preserve and promote the tribal culture of Jammu and Kashmir under “Oral Narrative Centre” the Indian Institute of Technology Jammu today organised a day long prgramme at Department of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Noted Tribal Researcher Dr. Javaid Rahi was invited by the IIT to speak about life , culture and other issues related to Gujjars , Bakerwals tribal groups in the inaugural programme of ‘ Tribal Talk Series’ initiated by the Centre.
Prof. Dr Bipin Indurkhya, Mentor, HSS, and Professor at Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland & adjunct faculty at HSS, IIT Jammu, joined the session through online mode.
Dr. Quleen Kaur Bijral from Faculty at IIT Jammu while welcoming the members briefed about the significance , aims and objective of “Oral Narrative Centre” focusing on tribal Culture of J&K. She highlighted the importance of revisiting, revitalizing and resurrecting the oral –lore as captured in the narrations of local and regional folklore. She coordinated the event while research scholars of HSS assisted her in organising this first ever event of its kind shared on zoom and other virtual platforms for brooder reach.
Dr. JavaidRahi during the course of interaction highlighted core issues germane to indigenous tribal communities such as assimilation in the main stream, seasonal migration, affirmative actions, discrimination, rituals, marriages, cultural vibrancy, modes of life, inter and intra community relationships, documentation techniques, and other concerns while providing necessary information and cultural artifacts for establishing the center.
Dr. Amitash Ojha,H.O.D. HSS spoke about issues as in clash of orthodox and modernity when it comes to tribal life. Dr. Varsha Singh of HSS, discussed the relevance of indigenous knowledge in the contemporary world while Dr. Sukanya Mondal, HSS connected the thread of tribal culture with ancient times.
Quleen Kaur, Pummy Sharma and Tanu Gupta underscored the thematic alignment of the programme which was to serve as an overview of the indigenous tribes especially the Gujjars & Bakerwals.
Those who raised questions during the programme including BTech students namely Pulkit Mahajan, Amol Raj put, Prathna Tripathi, Yash Jain Abhinash Kotyada also participated in the programme. Many students and scholars participated in the session through the zoom platform.
