Surrounded by thick tribal population of northern part of Odisha, Sundargarh town is an ideal location for such an activity. Tribal dominated eastern border of Chhattisgarh and southern border of Jharkhand were just about thirty kilometers away from Sundargarh on the west and north respectively. Thus Sundargarh worked as a meeting point of the tribal of three states.

A piece of land was obtained in 2009 with a goal in mind, 2011 some activities were started in the Center with resident members, and in 2016 the work was intensified with concrete programs and activities.

‘Sanskruti Kendra: Tribal Cultural and Research Center’ is the name of the Center and it looks forward to do a meaningful service of the tribal communities on socio-cultural grounds. The name bears the word as per Odia pronunciation of the word, it is not as in Hindi, and therefore it is willful and correct.

 

Aim and Objectives

 

Aim of Sanskruti Kendra: PROTECTION, PRESERVATION &  PROMOTION  OF TRIBAL CULTURE.

​

The objectives of the Center in order to achieve the aim are the following:

1. Document and preserve tribal heritage, i.e. culture, tribal folk lore, dance, songs, music, arts, crafts etc. in various forms.

2. Set up a library and archives of tribal literature and tribal related books and other printed or non-printed materials.

3. Set up a museum of tribal articles, art and artifacts.

4. Bring out tribal print, audio and video productions and publications.

5. Conduct research on tribal social and cultural topics.

6. Educate and train the people specially the youth and children on tribal socio-cultural heritage through Training Programs.

7. Develop tribal language and literature.

8. Conduct and facilitate Education and Higher Education on tribal disciplines.

9. Conduct and organize tribal competitions, seminars, feasts, festivals and memorial days.

10. Facilitate display and sale of tribal goods and articles.

11. Organize and Conduct Tribal Awareness and Motivation Programs.

12. Conduct tribal cultural connectivity activity among various tribal groups.

13. Promote Tribal games and sports through coaching, training, competitions and tournaments.

14. Take tribal troupe for national or international presentation, demonstration or competition

15. Facilitate tribal socio-economic development programs

 

​​Activities

In pursuance of the aim of the Center, Sanskruti Kendra: Tribal Cultural and Research Center has some sets of activities. They are:

1. Tribal Cultural Activities: This includes a number of activities such as tribal cultural festivals, and music and dance performances and competitions. Tribal cultural documentation of birth, marriage and death rites, and traditional tribal practices in audio, video and print format. Cultural training is given to the people, specially of youth and children on tribal social and cultural norms and practices through training sessions and other programs.

2. Tribal Literary Activities: This includes Raising Tribal Writers Program, Tribal Literary Festival, Printing and Publishing tribal books and booklets in multiple tribal as well as established languages. A tribal library has been built up with a considerable number of tribal books. Research scholars from Sambalpur University and students and researchers from various colleges make use of it for their dissertations and thesis.

3. Tribal Research Program: Research on tribal topics have gained importance since a few years and there have been some remarkable researches on neglected tribal groups like the Hill Kharia, Delki Kharia and Kisan. Research tours are conducted, small and big dissertations and research works are done by the inmates as well as research scholars and students with the help of the Center.

4. The Light House Program: This is a specified program for the tribal intellectuals such as – University Professors, College Lecturers, tribal writers and poets and all educated intellectuals. A yearly program named the Light House Program has been a stellar event so far where once a year all tribal intellectuals assemble in the Sanskruti Kendra premises to have a commune, chalk out some progressive plans, and share their literary productions.

5. Art, Craft and Theatre Program: Sanskruti Kendra is actively promoting artists, craftsmen and theater personalities through training in fine arts, sculpture and applied art in the Art College Sundargarh. Through the promotion of the Center there have been a few artist in the line of Fine Arts now, and it is expected that in near future there may be a few in the line of sculpture too. With their assistance a significant trend of tribal art and craft is visualized.

6. Tribal Magazine: Sanskruti Kendra has taken lead to bring out a quarterly multilingual tribal magazine named The Whispers is being published online as a e-magazine. University Professors, College lecturers and other tribal writers are among the subscribers as well as writers of the article for the magazine. The magazine, so far in e-magazine form, includes writings in nine languages – English, Hindi, Odia, Sadri, Sambalpuri/Sundargarhi, Oraon, Munda, Kisan and Kharia. It is expected that the magazine also will be available in hard copy form in due time.

7. Audio, Video and Print Productions: Audio, video and print production of tribal cultural materials are among the prime things of tribal documentations. Tribal songs, dance, norms and practices, customary laws, folk tales, medical practices etc. are brought out in audio, video and print format. While The First Step, Mahua Flower, Giding, Veer Telenga Kharia, Kharias of Odisha etc. are some of the books published by the Sanskruti Kendra, Padu: the Lost Dance of Kharias, The Broom, Dahaka Pani Nayo are some of the significant video productions.

8. Tribal Cultural Trainings: As many educated and employed tribal people are losing their cultural touch, and students and children are getting immersed in the prevalent trends of the world, Sanskruti Kendra is making visible attempts to draw their attention to their lost cultural heritage through some training programs. Cultural festivals, song and dance competitions, cultural role plays and performances, training sessions and conferences are some of the events that are geared toward this. Tribal medical practices are one of the cheapest yet effective medical treatment specially in the rural areas. Sanskruti Kendra organizes some training on popular herbal medicine so that the villagers may use these medical treatments that are available at their vicinity.

9. Display and Sale: A small scale display and sale counter is maintained in the Center where tribal related articles such as traditional food items, garments and artifacts are available.

10. Tribal Museum: Sanskruti Kendra is making effort to develop a rich tribal museum for collection, display and promotion of the rich tribal heritage.