*Representational Pic courtesy craftly.com
On the occasion of birth anniversary of Alice Ekka, women Adivasi writers from across the country have gathered in Ranchi to take part in India's first ever 'All India Tribal Women Writer's Meet'. The conference is a two day affair beginning today and being organised by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi in association with Jharkhandi Bhasha Sahitya Sanskriti Akhra, Ranchi.
The conference was inaugurated jointly by the well-known Tribal writer from Meghalaya Prof. Streamlet Dakhr and Dr. Rose Kerketta from Jharkhand. More than 50 prominent female literary figures from different tribal communities ranging from the north-east to far south states are participating in this two-day event . This special literary event has been organised focusing on the literary contribution of tribal women. It is being held in the Sushila Samad Auditorium of Hotel Raj Residency, Ranchi.
According to Sahitya Akademi, Delhi's special executive Devendra Kumar Debesh, this is the first time in India's literary history that tribal writers from all over the country have joined together. Born in Ranchi in 1917, Alice Ekka is India's first female tribal storyteller, whose birth centenary was organized by Sahitya Akademi.He said that it is time to underline the contribution of tribal writers in the development of Indian literature.Vandana Tate, general secretary of Jharkhandi language literature culture, said that the gathering of tribal women writers across the country on the land of warriors like Singi-Kaili Dai, Phulo-Zano, Maki Munda, Devmani Bhagatand Ratni Khadiya will prove to be a good initiative not only for tribal literature but also the entire Indian literature.
Alice Ekka, who wrote fiction in Hindi, was born on September 8, 1917 in Ranchi. In 1938, she was also the first tribal woman in Jharkhand to get 'Aboriginal Fellowship' and graduate in English Literature from the Scottish Church College of Calcutta.She started writing in the 50s and through her writing, paved the way for tribal society in the field of literature. There are many tribal writers like Alice Ekka, who have contributed significantly to the development of Indian literature with their creative writing, but their contribution did not find proper place in Indian literature. The purpose of this two-day tribal writer's inclusion is to highlight the contribution of tribal women writers in Indian literature and to encourage the new generation in the field of tribal literature.