Cultures Submerged

A documentation project that brought indigenous voices and narratives from the adivasi communities that were displaced from on the banks of river Narmada due to the Sardar Sarovar Dam Project. We ran a 52-week campaign across social media platforms apart from organising public hearings and advocacy interventions. We also produced a 3 part magazine (English and Hindi) that were printed and circulated widely within the communities.

In 2018-2019, Ek Potlee Ret Ki initiated Phase I of its project, focusing on the banks of the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh. The project aimed to identify and document indigenous and traditional-occupational communities, particularly the Bhil, Bhilala, and Barela, who were facing the cultural and social brunt of modern development, especially due to the construction of dams like Bargi and Sardar Sarovar. Through a preliminary survey and community meetings, we studied their social structures, economic activities, and cultural practices. We documented various aspects of these communities, including arts, crafts, rituals, food, lifestyles, and occupational skills. We also organised skill and knowledge transfer workshops to preserve indigenous skills and knowledge among the younger generation. The documentation was presented through various media, including social media platforms, to raise awareness and promote public discourse on the erasure of cultural identities in the face of development. Additionally, a comprehensive report was developed to address the issues uncovered during the project, with a focus on advocacy and academic pursuits, all while working closely with the affected communities.