ADIVASI SAHITYA SABHA
We had a discussion with Miss.Liza Guts of SALL,who is working on the development of different unrecognaised laguages of north east at PAJHRA on 29th of June08 .Mr.Stephan Ekka (Director PAJHRA) Mr.Wilfred Topno(President Adivasi Sahitya Sabha ) Mr.Lucas Horo ,Student of Guwahati University present in the meeting . Miss Liza wanted to know what kind of activity Adivasi Sahitya Sabha is doing ? The major activity of Adivasi Sahit ya Sabha is to promote Adivasiya Language (SADRI) along with other Adivasi languages Like Munda Krukh ,Kharia,Gond Etc. It has promoted and supported Sabhas Different Adivasi ligustic groups through these sabhas it is trying to promote their culture and Language. The ASS members also brifed her about the work of developing Adivasiya laguage through the Roman Script.
IMPORTANT NOTES ON ADIVASI SAHITYA SABHA
12th October 1998Ad-hoc committee of Sadri Sahitya Sabha was formed on 12th October 1998 and Adivasi hostel Shillong.Mr. Wilfred Topno and Mr. Elias Lomga were elected as President and Secretary of SSS respectively.15th May 2002
Sadri Sahitya Sabha was renamed as Adivasi Sahitya Sabha (ASS) at Tezpur at its General Body Meeting of the organization.30th Jan to 1st Feb 2004
The First State level Conference of Adivasi Sahitya Sabha was held at Lakhimpur where the Constitution of the organization was passed. Mr. Wilfred Topno and Mr. Promod Sandiguria were elected as President and Secretary respectively of the organization. The conference was attended by delegates from different districts of Assam comprising of professors, teachers, social activists, social workers, youth leaders, women leaders and Adivasi thinkers. Seven resolutions were adopted in the conference among which the delegates also decided to change the name of Sadri language as Adivasiya. A cultural rally was organized on the last day of the conference where more than 2000 people had gathered.
SOME POLICY ON LANGUAGE.1.Why Adivasiya?Munda, Orang, Gond, Kharia, Santali and other Adivasi tribes live together in the Tea Gardens and villages of Assam. Their languages differ greatly from each other’s language. To communicate with each other, they have produced a language in the course of time which is rich in Adivasi words and their feelings. The language is very much different from that of the Sadri language. To give a distinct identity to the Adivasi community of Assam, the Lakhimpur Conference decided to name the Sadri language as Adivasiya. Languages, over a period of time, undergo changes. Examples may be cited of American English which has given the American people their own language and identity and which is nothing but English. After the discover y of America, people from European countries like England, France, Dutch, Portugal etc. settled in America and intermingled with each other. In the course of time, they gave birth to American English which has its own identity. The Nagas of Nagaland speak Nagamese. The language is broken Assamese. But the people of Nagaland comprising of some 13 major tribes, speak Nagamese to communicate with each other. The Nagamese has its own identity of being the language of the Nagas. Thus it can be concluded that Adivasiya is the language of the Adivasis. It is not Sadri which is the language of the Sadans / Dikus (Outsiders). It is not Nagpuria either since we are Adivasis of Assam. The Adivasiya language of the Adivasis is very much different from similar language being spoken by their counterparts in other parts of India. It is therefore believed that Sadri cannot be adopted as the language of the Adivasis of Assam.2. Literature and Script Still Adivasi Sahitya Sabha has not decided the script of Adivasiya language. Adivasiya literature can be produce through any script i.e. Assamese, Devnagiri or Roman script. Adivasi Sahitya Sabha is open for discussion on the usage of the script for Adivasiya language so that more literature can be produced. We hope in future it will take the its own turn as what script will be used in the development of Adivasiya language but we feel Roman Script will be best for the development of Adivasiya language because it is user friendly. Some people say that the pronunciations doesn’t match with Roman script but the expert say that Roman script is used to write difficult language in the world and it has many phonetic expressions. This can be used for correct phonetic expression. We feel let the language take its own shape. We should not maintain water - tight compartment in accepting ideas.3. Education for AdivasisWhere ever possible Adivasis should receive education through his/Her mother tongue e.g. Santhali, Mundari, Kurukh, Gond, etc. Other wise in a mixed community they may opt for Adivasiya as a medium of education.
At present English medium is preferred as medium of instruction. We support English medium school for our children because it will open up larger avenues of opportunities for our children. Educated Adivasi youths are advised to open English medium private school in Adivasi areas. They can collect needful fees from the parents of their students. If they give quality education to our children they can be self sufficient economically.4. Adivasi cultureTo promote Adivasi Culture Adivasi Sahitya Sabha will collaborate with the different Sahitya Sabhas like the Santali Sahitya Sabha, Munda Sabha, Kharia Sabha, Kurukh Sabha etc.
posted by Wilfred Topno at 1:44 AM 0 comments links to this post
