Role, identity, and status of Madia women in Gadchiroli district with special focus on marriage and religious customs: A comparative study

The crux of this research is to trace the role and status of Madia women over changing times with special focus on marriage rituals and religious customs. The importance in analysing their belief systems, the women’s role in religion and to understand their life ways is at an urgent juncture.  As they stand at this point in time – well into industrial and technological development – they are losing their heritage steadily and being assimilated into the larger fold of mainstream religions. This is a comparative study as the intention is to trace the changes that the religious customs have undergone for Madia women from 1930’s till the present, this will help us – broadly speaking – advance our understanding of religion as followed by the Madias in 2 ways – 1. What are the differences in religious philosophy between the Madia philosophy and Hinduism? and 2. What are the differences in the customs pertaining to women within the Madia community over time – which customs have stood the test of time and which are not popular or disallowed for various reasons. 

Oral History Documentation

The Sambhasha Foundation has initiated an Oral History Documentation Project aimed at preserving the narratives of prominent personalities in Pune aged 75 and above. This endeavor seeks to capture the recent past through firsthand accounts, ensuring that invaluable experiences and insights are not lost to time.
The project commenced with interviews of renowned psychologist Dr. M. N. Palsane, focusing on his personal and professional journey. In addition to recording his oral narratives, the foundation is digitizing his handwritten materials to ensure comprehensive preservation of his contributions.
The project also includes the documentation of the renowned vocalist from the Gwalior Gharana, Late Shri Narayanrao Bodas, focusing on his personal and professional journey. His handwritten material was acquired and digitised to ensure the preservation of his personal experiences, along with some photographs and handwritten letters. This initiative seeks to capture valuable insights from esteemed individuals, enriching the cultural and historical tapestry for future generations.

Data collection, sorting and documentation of the old Modi documents

The collection included manuscripts, letters, legal records, personal notes and others. These documents were packed in multiple bags, and had suffered the effects of environmental exposure, including dust accumulation, physical wear, degradation and biological infestation. The primary focus of this project was to stabilise and protect the available collection from further deterioration, while also improving their accessibility and retrieval through systematic organisation and documentation. By the completion of the project, collection was thoroughly cleaned, categorised, and documented.     

Ethnoarchaeological Survey of Traditional Communities in Pune   

Pune, often referred to as the “Cultural Capital of Maharashtra,” is home to diverse traditional communities who have preserved their ancestral professions. These professions, ranging from pottery and metalwork to weaving and making jewelleries, shows the rich cultural heritage of the region. However, with rapid urbanization and modernization, many of these traditions area at risk of fading away. The purpose of this project is to conduct an ethnoarchaeological survey of 10 traditional communities in Pune. The aim is to document their cultural practices, tools, techniques, and the historical significance of their professions. This study will help in understanding how these professions have evolved over time and the challenges faced by these communities today.

PATKATHA : Textile Heritage Exhibition

In the exhibition ‘Patkatha’, we explore the threads of connections through stories woven into fabric. These personal, yet social, narratives will allow us to reveal the rich tapestry of cultural traditions that beautifully bind us and further emerge as the culture of the community. Going thread by thread, we will also observe keenly the various facets of the culture, their meanings, symbolism, and purpose. Some of these artefacts may look familiar, but the idea is to understand their unfamiliar narratives and weave them seamlessly into our daily experiences.

Each piece in this exhibition also tells a tale of the artisans who created this unmatched artistry. It is also the tale of those who have developed, appreciated, and passionately promoted the sustainable traditional techniques that make these fabrics a true work of art.