Adivasi Art and Activism: Curation in a Nationalist Age

Adivasis are overrepresented among the poor in India, with a total population of more than a hundred million people who speak more than three hundred different languages. Alice Tilche's book Adivasi Art and Activism documents changes in adivasi aesthetics, home life, attire, food, and ideas of religiosity due to negotiation with Hinduization, development, and globalization in the twenty-first century. It raises questions about preservation and curation of indigenous material and provides an astute critique of Hindu nationalism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 22 March 2022
Publisher: University of Washington Press

As India embarks on an assertive path of economic development, the indigenous tribal communities known as Adivasis remain disproportionately marginalized within the country's impoverished population. Comprising over 800 distinct communities, with a collective population exceeding 100 million individuals who speak over 300 distinct languages, Adivasis hold a significant historical presence in India. While their historical significance is acknowledged by the state, their poverty has been exacerbated by the suppression of their cultural heritage and lifestyle.

In her book, Adivasi Art and Activism, Alice Tilche delves into anthropological fieldwork conducted in rural western India, exploring the transformative shifts in Adivasi aesthetics, home life, attire, food, and religious beliefs that have emerged in response to the homogenizing forces of Hinduization, development, and globalization in the twenty-first century. Through meticulous documentation of curatorial projects situated not only in museums and art institutions but also in the realms of the home, the body, and the landscape, Tilche sheds light on the intricate ways in which Adivasi communities are engaging with these forces to shape their identities and preserve their cultural heritage.

Adivasi Art and Activism poses crucial questions regarding the preservation and curation of indigenous material, offering a discerning critique of the aesthetics and politics of Hindu nationalism. By highlighting the artistic expressions and activism of Adivasi communities, Tilche underscores their resilience and agency in the face of ongoing challenges, while also raising awareness about the urgent need for cultural diversity and inclusivity in India's development narrative.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780295749709