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The Indian Tribal Folklore Archive
Sacred Narratives through Art and Storytelling
Curators & Artists
Exhibition Opening: Sunday, 22 September, 12:30pm
Exhibition Timings: 10am to 8pm
Exhibition on show until: Tuesday, 24 September, 8pm
Walkthroughs with Curator:
Sunday, 22 September, 12:30pm and 5pm
Monday, 23 September, 6pm
Tuesday, 24 September, 6pm
Kids Storytelling Workshop (Library): Sunday, 22 September, 3pm – 4pm
Music Performance: Sunday, 22 September, 6pm – 7pm
Documentary Film Screening (Library): Monday, 23 September, 6:30pm – 7:15pm
The Indian Tribal Folklore Archive exhibition is a vibrant celebration of five Indian tribal communities, bringing to life their worlds through the rich tapestry of their folktales. These works are not merely artistic interpretations; they are deeply informed by thorough research and genuine engagement with the tribes, in collaboration with folklorists.
Tribal documentation transcends simple record-keeping; it becomes a powerful narrative of empowerment, self-assertion, and celebration. This exhibition invites you to embrace the diversity that shapes our collective identity, cherish the stories that unite us, and build a future that pays homage to the richness of our shared heritage.
In the intricate fabric of India’s culture, tribal documentation emerges as a vital thread, imbued with deep meaning and significance. The celebration of Indian tribal folklore becomes a reflection on the enduring resilience and cultural wealth of indigenous communities. It tells a story steeped in tradition’s quiet strength and the profound interconnectedness of all Indians.
Kids Storytelling Workshop:
Weave stories with Curator Deepshika Maity and Artist Amrapali Das and explore the rich world of folklore. Through engaging activities, children will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in traditional stories and create their own tales inspired by elements of Indian folklore.The workshop encourages creativity, imagination, and a deeper connection to cultural heritage. Kids will not only learn the art of storytelling but also gain an appreciation for the timeless wisdom embedded in these stories. It’s an interactive and fun experience, fostering a love for stories while building creative confidence.
Music Performance:
A folk music performance by Dipanjali Deka will interweave songs, poems, and stories of devotion, nature, and love. Her work celebrates the diverse folk voices and languages of the subcontinent that often go unheard in the noise of our daily lives. Moving through Assamese, Rajasthani, Bengali, Punjabi, and more, she will sing of nature, social critique, fear and fearlessness, divine surrender, and mystical joy.
Documentary Film Screening (Library):
The Missing Rainbow – Tribal and Folk Art | 2019 | 40 minutes
This documentary by filmmaker Gita Hudson celebrates and brings attention to India’s vibrant tribal arts. Filmed during a painting camp at the Tribal Museum in Arakku Valley, Andhra Pradesh, in 2019, the story follows twelve exceptional women artists from different states across India, the unique art forms and their lives.
Curated by Deepshikha Maity and Amrapali Das of Kaahaani Ghar.
Kaahaani Ghar believes in the transformative power of storytelling to connect communities and inspire change. They are driven by the ambition to revive the magic of Indian folklore, weaving it back into the fabric of our society and rekindling love for our shared heritage.
In collaboration with:
Curators & Artists
Deepshikha Maity
Deepshikha Maity is a storyteller with a deep-seated passion for art, politics, and society. With professional experience spanning management consulting, strategy, and marketing, she combines her diverse skills to lead impactful projects that connect with audiences on multiple levels. As the founder of Kaahaani Ghar, she leads an initiative dedicated to preserving and promoting Indian folklore, creating a platform to pass it on to future generations.
Through Kaahaani Ghar, she works to bring fresh perspectives and renewed visibility to Indian folklore, making these timeless stories accessible and relevant in today’s world. Deepshikha collaborates with a dedicated team of folklorists, anthropologists, and illustrators to curate and reimagine stories from diverse Indian communities, spanning the length and breadth of the country.
Her goal is not just to preserve the folklore but also to adapt and evolve it, ensuring that these narratives resonate with contemporary audiences. She passionately believes in making folklore a living tradition, offering new ways to engage with these stories.
Amrapali Das
Amrapali Das is a self-trained visual artist, painter, and illustrator based in Kolkata. She is also a certified expressive arts therapy practitioner, and her experience in this field significantly shapes the themes, processes, and perspectives of her work. Amrapali’s artistic approach is intermodal, often exploring different mediums and art forms to tell stories that draw inspiration from personal experiences, myths, folklore, music, poetry, and literature.
Her background as a trained Hindustani classical music vocalist influences her art, infusing it with musicality and emotional depth. Amrapali’s creative practice is rooted in various expressive arts modalities, including dance and movement, psychodrama, drama therapy, guided visualizations, shadow and archetypal work, and dreamwork. These diverse influences enrich her work, making it a dynamic and deeply personal expression of storytelling through art.
Dipanjali Deka
Dipanjali Deka is a multilingual practitioner of music and she draws from both the folk and classical repertoire of bhakti-sufi music and poetry. Dipanjali holds a PhD from the School of Arts and Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. In her research as well as practice, she interweaves the musical and philosophical pluralities in the nirguni traditions of bhakti.
Dipanjali is a music mentor for Dhai Akhar Kishori Initiative of Jan Sahas Social Development Society. She has performed at the Malwa Mahila Kabir Yatra (2024), Lok Rang Mahotsav (2024), Institute for Social Democracy, New Delhi (2023), Language and Learning Foundation, New Delhi (2023), among other places. She has co-facilitated a musical retreat in Deer Park Institute, Bir (2023) and co-curated and facilitated a music workshop on Nirguni music and Constitutional Values in Eklavya Foundation, Bhopal (2023).
Gita Hudson
Gita Hudson is an artist and filmmaker based in Chennai who has documented the Madras Movement extensively. She has also been a curator at the DakshinaChitra Heritage Museum.
