Kirtads to proceed with ethnological museum project

KOZHIKODE: Uninterrupted by the criticism, Kerala Institute of Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Tribes (KIRTADS) has decided to proceed with the Rs 16 crore ethnological museum renovation project. When the project was announced, it invited the wrath of many tribal groups and researchers with the charge that Adivasis are not museum pieces and the money could be used for other worthy purposes for the community. Of the fund, Rs 7 crore was allocated last year and Rs 3 crore this year.

“Though sanctioned, we have not yet received any fund. A team of experts are involved in the ideation and preparation of a detailed project proposal. We are planning to build it similar to the tribal museum in Bhopal where every art work has some meaning and is beautifully depicted. The project includes six galleries depicting the cultural diversity, tribal life, tribal art, tribal mythology, tribes of Chattisgarh and tribal games,” said an officer at Kirtads. Research and development processes are going on at the centre to find out material collection, curation and identification of it from about 36 tribal groups, the exhibition side and suggestion of idea participatory workshop with the tribal community.

Kirtads director Dr P. Pugazhenhdi said that the museum will be managed and administered by the tribal people. “An idea of organising tribal participatory workshop has been put forth. We are attempting to glorify the tribal community emphasising their originality in lifestyle and cultural values and not trying to put them in the light of minority and uncivilised,” explained Mr Pugazhenhdi when asked about the criticism about the project. Besides, a tribal freedom fighters’ museum is also in the pipeline as per the project declared by Prime Minister in 2016.