The Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve has ample biodiversity as well as cultural diversity. There are more than 30 distinct indigenous or adivasi groups, like the Alu Kurumba, Kattunaickan, Irula, Paniya, Bettakurumba, Toda etc who have conserved the forests for many generations. The linguistic diversity in the region deems it a hotspot of Proto-Dravidian languages. Keystone Foundation’s work in the region has been in partnership with communities and their eco-cultural sustenance is crucial to the overall wellbeing of the region. Keystone Foundation was able to work on ideas of art and craft revitalisation, intergenerational knowledge transfer and intangible cultural heritage over the last 3 decades, resulting in several projects of community media, community-collectives and research and documentation of their Traditional Cultural Expressions. This collection contains notes, reports, publications, posters, photos, videos and other knowledge materials from the various projects and engagements with indigenous and local communities on this subject.
Visit the Institutional Pathways Exhibit on Culture and People for the detailed origin story related to this work. View the media items on this subject below.
