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"Indigenous Habitat":
Vestiges of Ancestral Way of Life in North East India.
The comprehensive and integrated approach to the subject of Indigenous entails carrying out studies,
documentation and correlation (to the extent possible) of the enormous variety in design, technique,
skills, terminology and beliefs. Many other aspects mark indigenous architecture as a whole within the
entire North East Region, and its natural evolution and characteristics over time.
The result of these deliberations has ultimately defined the Indigenous Habitat project, which is a
pioneering, meticulously researched documentation of the unique and fascinating ethnic building craft,
skills and styles evolved over generations in the nation’s North Eastern States, a programme critically
important in view of the disappearing skills, ebbing knowledge and dilution of tradition in the Region.
Looking back, the Indigenous Habitat quest has been a six-year venture combining thousands of kilometres
of wayfaring, scores of remote locations, freezing temperatures, relentless downpours, the occasional
mechanical breakdown and other travails ...... but infinitely more a revelation of incredible, delightful
and unexpected little-knowns and unknowns. Good cheer, open arms, courtesy and warmth have been the norm.
We hope the infectious spirit of the tribes visited comes clearly through in this offering.
The sheer profusion of indigenous cultures in India’s North East stymies comprehension.
But sadly, this vast body of oral wisdom and instruction has been steadily perishing. A concerted effort
to contain this loss is a daunting but hugely important task, not just for these communities but the world
at large. The Habitat initiative is but a tiny contribution to the effort; we do hope this work will
inspire others to continue, add to and complete the work before it is too late.
The book was released on 4th October 2021 by the Vice President of India in Shillong. Since then it has
received accolades from scholars, students, institutions and news media.
Published by: North Eastern Council, Ministry of DONER, Government of India Shillong 2021
Co-author: Ronojoy Sen and Shyamal Datta
Photography: Shyamal Datta
"Folklore and Nature":
A Project on the Inter-relation between Folklore, Wildlife and Nature of North East India
This project is an analysis of the man-nature relationships in indigenous societies of North Eastern India. Folklore reveals that these societies have been able to live in harmony with their environment by adopting appropriate ethical positions. Furthermore, while some of these interactions might have begun with a purely anthropocentric view to conserve resources for sustainable use, they have often transcended over time to become more and more eco-centric and all-embracing.
Start of Project: 2015
Implementing Agency: Department of Cultural and Creative Studies, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India
"Texts and Textiles":
Weaving Traditions of North East India
This project aims to identify, document and study the range of phenomena associated with the weaving tradition of select communities of North-East India. The study will involve exploring and characterizing the beliefs, origins, narratives and songs, techniques, designs, epistemologies and practice of the weft and warp knowledge systems sustained by some of the ethnic communities of the region. While folklore and cultural studies methodologies will be largely applied to the study, care will be taken to make use and deploy a multi-disciplinary approach so as to obtain the best possible academic output which will facilitate the formation of policy support for the artisanal skill and further economic possibilities for the finished products.
A very significant dimension of the project will be to address the issues surrounding threatened tangible heritage, revitalizing near-forgotten technologies including designs and motifs and advocating for sagacious bio-resource management which forms the very basis of the ancient art of weaving tradition of North-East India.
Start of Project: 2018
Implementing Agency: Department of Cultural and Creative Studies, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India