New academic centre & language lab for ATLC on the cards

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to promote and develop tribal language and culture in the State, Minister of ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Nityananda Gond has directed the department to set up a new academic centre and language laboratory for the city-based Academy of Tribal Languages and Culture (ATLC) under the 100 Days’ Plan of the Government.

The new facilities for ATLC will come up at Gothapatana near the proposed Adivasi Bhawan, where a multipurpose centre for meetings, conferences, shows and exhibitions of tribal art, culture and development has already been planned.

ATLC is considered as one-stop destination where academicians and scholars can explore the rich tribal heritage including folktales, culture and traditions, riddles, biographies, cuisines, dictionaries, songs, folk songs, novel, proficiency modules on Odisha’s 64 tribes and 13 particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs). One of its bestsellers, “Tribal Atlas of Odisha” is a beautiful compendium of the tribal wealth of Odisha.

The premier autonomous institution under the ST & SC Development Department was previously known as Academy of Tribal Dialects and Culture (ATDC). Though established in 1979, during 2007-2008 it was renamed as ATLC and is operating from the Adivasi Exhibition Ground here.

Apart from research and publications, ATLC is engaged in a multi-dimensional year-long activities and it also provides guidance and consultancy services to scholars, filmmakers, writers, non-government organizations (NGOs), and government institutions interested in tribal communities and their cultures. In a nutshell, ATLC is possibly doing everything to explore the best kept secrets in tribal culture and traditions in the State.

ATLC also organises the Annual Adivasi Mela and it has become a popular event of cultural exchanges at the State Capital. In order to encourage tribal children in SSD Department schools, ATLC also organizes State-level sudents’ festival “Sargiful” and also sponsors tribal cultural troupes for various national, state, and district-level festivals.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the department Roopa Roshan Sahoo said, “ATLC’s recognition of tribal achievers at the Annual Adivasi Mela is a commendable tribute to their outstanding contributions across diverse fields. By honoring their achievements, ATLC not only celebrates their accomplishments, but also inspires others within the tribal communities to strive for similar achievements.”

ATLC also gives awards to 50 best performing SSD Schools and 100 best students at the Annual High School Certificate (HSC) examination at the annual Adivasi Mela every year. Currently, the academy has been processing manuscripts from 172 tribal writers from 9 different tribal languages for their publications under various categories. This will definitely take the writers to the next level in order to make their writings see the light of the day. ATLC’s annual souvenir, “Banaja” publishes articles written by scholars, researchers, and literature enthusiasts.