Tribal Echoes 2022

3rd National Art, Culture & Literature Program in remembrance of the Death Anniversary of Birsa Munda

Tribal Echoes is a national-level initiative dedicated to celebrating and preserving the rich cultural heritage, knowledge systems, and lived experiences of India’s tribal communities. Organised annually in honour of the legendary tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, the programme serves as a vibrant platform for dialogue, expression, and reflection, bringing together students, educators, scholars, and community leaders from across the country. This event was organised from 8-11June 2022. Held across three days of immersive competitions, art, reflection, and discussions, and a concluding award ceremony on the fourth day, this national-level initiative inspired over 200 students and numerous educators, artists, and grassroots leaders.

Structured as a multi-day event featuring competitions, workshops, exhibitions, and panel discussions, Tribal Echoes fosters meaningful engagement with themes such as environmental sustainability, indigenous rights, educational equity, and cultural preservation. By blending art, literature, oral histories, and policy dialogue, the initiative seeks to amplify the voices of tribes that are often marginalised in mainstream discourse. Rooted in both memory and movement, Tribal Echoes is more than a cultural programme- it is a space of learning, resistance, and hope. It inspires young people to connect with their roots, question injustice, and reimagine a future that honours the wisdom of the past while embracing the needs of the present.

Day 1: Stories Through Words- The Power of Expression (8 June 2022)

Activity 1: Essay Writing Competition- A Silent Thunder of Ideas
The day opened with quiet anticipation as over 100 students gathered in the early morning sunlight, armed with pens, notebooks, and a determination to express their thoughts at Raunaque Academy, Hazaribagh. Banners of Birsa Munda fluttered overhead- an ever-present symbol of resistance and hope.
The Essay Writing Competition invited students to reflect on themes of justice, equality, and cultural preservation. Many drew powerful parallels between Birsa Munda’s legacy and present-day social struggles.

“My essay is about how education is a tool of freedom, just as Birsa Munda saw resistance as a form of knowledge,” shared Abdul Basit, age 15.

Another participant, Supriya Kumari, chose to write about environmental justice, referring to Birsa as “India’s first eco-warrior.”

Activity 2: Extempore Competition- Voices in Motion
In the afternoon at the same venue, a sunlit stage became a platform for spontaneous expression. Students drew topics from a bowl and spoke with raw honesty and insight. Sanober Praween, 16, moved the audience with her speech on Women’s Empowerment, drawing on her own village experiences. Meanwhile, Prince Kumar, 14, discussed preserving tribal cultural heritage in modern times, recalling local festivals and oral histories from his grandparents. “These children have lived these stories. Their words aren’t rehearsed, they’re real,” remarked Raonaque Afroz, Director of Raunaque Academy.

Day 2: Colours, Growth, and Community- Celebrating Creativity & Sustainability (9 June 2022)

Activity 1: Painting & Drawing Competition -Colours Speak Louder Than Words
In Raunaque Academy, Banha, Hazaribagh, over 120 students participated in a vivid display of creativity centred on the theme: “Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Life.” From charcoal sketches to watercolour narratives, students brought tribal traditions and environmental ethics to life. Rinki Yadav, 13, painted a tribal mother passing knowledge to her child beneath a tree. Another piece by Shaquib Umar, 15, featured Birsa Munda standing amidst lush forests and tribal dwellings- a visual poem on ecological guardianship.

“The stories in these artworks go beyond paint. They hold memory, resilience, and vision,”

noted Md Mushaheed Raza, a local art teacher and community leader.

Activity 2: Plant Distribution & Plantation Drive – Growing Roots of Change
In the afternoon, the focus shifted to tangible environmental action. Organised by APNA, the Plantation Drive saw enthusiastic participation from students and locals alike. Organised in the APNA Office, Anganwadi, Nawada, Hazaribagh, over a hundred saplings were distributed by the organisers, with species such as neem, gulmohar, peepal, mango, etc.

“Planting trees is not just green work- it’s ancestral work. Our communities have always lived in harmony with nature,”

said Md Faizan, Secretary, APNA, during the opening address. Students took pledges to nurture their plants and act as environmental stewards in their villages.

Day 3: Dialogue for Change- E-Charcha on Education Policy and Budget Allocation (10 June 2022)
The final day took a turn towards policy with a virtual discussion, broadcast via YouTube and Facebook, on “Education Policy and Budget Allocation: Equity and Quality in Public Education.” Mr Dawa Sherpa, Assistant Professor, Kurseong College, North Bengal University, drew on his experience with OXFAM India and SWAYAM. He delivered a compelling address on systemic educational inequality, urging targeted funding and community involvement. This session was moderated by Saina Khushu, a law student from Jamia Millia Islamia. The topics covered include discrepancies between policy intentions and ground realities, the impact of budget allocation on marginalised communities and the need for grassroots participation in policy formulation. 
“Policy without the voice of the people it serves is just paper,” Mr Sherpa asserted during the session. Over 80 Audience members participated in this event, and a great number of them engaged actively, sharing their experiences of school access, quality, and budget transparency. 

Day 4: Award Ceremony & Reflections – Recognising Talent and Vision (11 June 2022)
The final day brought together participants, families, and organisers for a heartfelt celebration of creativity, effort, and learning at Al Falah Marriage Hall, Banha, Hazaribagh. This event was organised by APNA, in collaboration with Raunaque Academy, drawing over 200 students, out of which 15 were recognised as winners, and others were given special mention for their creativity, leadership and cultural knowledge. “This wasn’t a competition- it was a community gathering to learn, unlearn, and grow,” shared Hasan Al Banna, President, APNA.

“I didn’t win a trophy, but I found my voice,” said Divya Kumari, who delivered a moving extempore speech on education.

The event closed with a collective pledge: to carry forward the spirit of Birsa Munda—not just in memory, but in everyday action.

Closing Reflection
Tribal Echoes 2022 reminded all present that preserving tribal heritage and advocating for social justice isn’t a one-time event; it’s a movement. From the quiet scratch of pens to loud applause and saplings growing silently in the soil, every act was a tribute to Birsa Munda’s legacy.

“This isn't the end; it's the beginning of a journey towards a world where cultural heritage is celebrated, education is equitable, and our environment is protected by informed young leaders,”

said Raonaque Afroz in his closing speech.