Bhubaneswar, August 7: Around 70 eminent tribal writers and poets working in 49 tribal languages are expected to join a two-day national Tribal Writers’ Meet to be held here by the Sahitya Akademi in collaboration with Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA)’s Centre for Preservation, Propagation and Restoration of Ancient Culture and Heritage of India (PPRACHIN) on August 9 and 10.
The event has been organised to coincide with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 9 and ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The program will feature multilingual poetry readings, multilingual short story readings and discussions on challenges before young writers in tribal languages and preservation and development of Indian indigenous languages, Dr. Gayatribala Panda, eminent poet and Head of PPRACHIN, said.
The inaugural program on August 9, to be held at SOA Convention Hall in Campus-2, will be attended by, among others, Dr. K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, Mr. Haladhar Nag, eminent writer and Padmashree awardee, Prof. Jagannath Das, eminent scholar, Dr. Gourahari Das, eminent writer and Convenor, Odia Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, Mr. Chaitanya Prasad Majhi, Convenor, Santali Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi and Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, Vice-Chancellor of SOA Deemed to be University and Dean student’s Welfare Prof. Jyotiranjan Das .
The eminent tribal writers and poets who are expected to attend the meet include, among others, Ms. Krairi Mog Choudhary (Mog), Mr. Rajkishore Naik (Bathudi), Ms. Anima Teira (Birijiya), Mr. Bhaichung Tshering Bhutia (Bhutia), Ms. Bhanumati Singh (Bhumij), Ms. Kusum Chakma (Chakma), Mr.Dhanu Muduli (Gadaba), Dr. Jomyir Jini (Galo), Mr. Mirthanarch K. Marak (Garo), Ms. Indumati Lamani (Banjara), Mr. Sunil Gaikwad (Bhili), Mr. Dasru Nayak (Ho), Ms. Damayanti Besra (Santali), Mr. Wanggo Socia (Noete), Ms. Yogeshwari S (Hakkipikki), Mr. Sunil Pedakapu (Kandha Paraja), Mr. Ethylberth Khongrymmai (Khasi), Mr. Pradip Kanhar (Kui), Mr. Baikuntha Pradhan (Kishan), Mr. Pilsai Gond (Gondi), Mr. Tsewang Gyaltsen (Ladakhi), Mr. Pratap Tamang (Tamang), Mr. Sudarshan Juang (Juang), Mr. Kachyo Lepcha (Lepcha), Ms. Swarnalata Aind (Mundari), Mr. Lalvensangi Chawngthu (Mizo), Mr. S.K.Boro (Bodo), Mr. Lisu Sabar (Saora), Mr. Lalrinhlui (Hmar).