Malkangiri, 26th Sept 2025: Malkangiri is a tribal-dominated region where 16 tribal communities such as Koya, Banda, Bidayi, and Paraja reside. Their art, traditions, and culture are very unique.
However, in the present era of modernization, tribal arts and culture are rapidly disappearing. To preserve these, D. Jagannath Rao, an assistant teacher at Tandiki Ashram School in Malkangiri district, has adopted an innovative approach. Along with educating the students, he has formed a folk art organization that teaches tribal dance, music, festivals, traditions, their traditional attire, and musical instruments.
Besides regular classes, he also teaches music, drama, and education during breaks.
Spending his own resources to raise awareness about this tradition, he began the initiative from the Malyabant Festival and extended it to various schools, colleges, and at the state level, where students were trained and honored for promoting tribal traditions.
According to Mr. Rao, who has been living in Malkangiri for many years, many tribal cultures in the district are now on the verge of extinction. The tribal people are gradually forgetting their heritage and adopting urban traditions. Expressing concern about this while teaching in the Tribal Welfare Department, he is making efforts to ensure that future generations do not forget their tribal culture.
He said that if his folk organization receives government recognition and support in the coming days, they plan to promote this culture not only across the state but also in other states.
Mr. Rao’s efforts have been praised in various quarters.