Inequality: The Challenge Of Our Times
Inequality, one of the most significant issues humanity is facing this century. India is far more unequal today than it was in 1950. … Continue readingInequality: The Challenge Of Our Times
Racing Ahead On a Vimanam
Vimanam’ or ‘Kurankattam’, as this game is called in Southern India, is a 2-player race game played with cowrie shells or stick dice. Earlier studies of game inscriptions suggest the evolution of this game from single track dice games found in India and Srilanka. Irving Finkel, the curator at British Museum in London … Continue readingRacing Ahead On a Vimanam
Poda Thurpu, The Cattle That Fights Tigers
Poda Thurpu – The resilience of the cattle and the community – Kanna K. Siripurapu Photos : Chandrasekhar Nemani Poda
The Future Of Indigenous Knowing
The future of indigenous knowing depends on the children of the indigenous communities. But, in my view the present drive to send all children to school will ensure the death of all traditional skills; craft, farming, healing, folk arts and other specific knowledge systems that artisanal and village communities hold within. … Continue readingThe Future Of Indigenous Knowing
The Dying Sounds Of Rhythm
Deepak Naik has an unusual routine. He walks three kilometers to collect clay. The collected clay is then used to make a traditional percussion instrument called the maandar, which is played during Holi and other festivals. As he speaks to us, he drops weight on the clay to harden it … Continue readingThe Dying Sounds Of Rhythm
30 Inches From a Loan
Prasad belongs to the Ezhava community, which is classified as OBC, a community, who were warriors during the time of the Zamorins and trained in martial arts (Kalaripayattu). Their roots are traced to Sri Lanka. They had a dual classification, the status of a warrior (Kshatriya) but the caste of a Shudra (Backward caste, untouchables). However, they have always worked as agricultural labourers. … Continue reading30 Inches From a Loan
Science Education And Its Inequalities
My intention through this article is to give my perspective, created through my experiences, about the state of (science) education in India; and to see the rather quirky relationship social status has with access to an appropriate form of education. These perspectives have been framed by my experiences growing up, and recently as … Continue readingScience Education And Its Inequalities
Women In NREGA Gujarat
Gujarat has over 91.51 lakh total workers however the active workers account for 28.9 lakh. In a recent study conducted by Bigi Thomas and Ruby Bhatia on the impact of the NREGA scheme on the quality of life … Continue readingWomen In NREGA Gujarat
Migrant Workers Of Bagepalli, Karnataka
An ordinary day of a daily wage worker in Bagepalli, a town in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka, begins in the hustle and bustle of the town, as they wait for employers to call them for work. … Continue readingMigrant Workers Of Bagepalli, Karnataka
The Challenges Of Serving The Maternal Health Needs Of Adivasi Women
Near the end of the epic poem Ramayana, a pregnant Sita is banished to the forest by Rama. She seeks refuge in the sage Valmiki’s ashram, and shortly thereafter, gives birth to twin boys. … Continue readingThe Challenges Of Serving The Maternal Health Needs Of Adivasi Women