Adivasi Writers: An Introduction to India's Indigenous Literature

Adivasi Writers (a list of 90+ writers from various communities)

Since reliable general knowledge about Adivasi writers is still emerging, we felt it would be important to make an inclusive list of Adivasi writers in various genres. We initially drew upon lists of Adivasi writers from Wikipedia (see those lists herehere, and here). As we came across more authors during our research, we added their names to this list. 

Here, you can view that list in its entirety. Each author's name is accompanied by a short descriptor and links to further reading.

(Tip: If you are looking for authors from a particular community or those writing in a specific language, use Ctrl/Cmd+F to search the text on this page)

Please note that this page will be continuously updated. 
  1. Sushila Samad (1906-1960): A Munda poet, journalist, editor and publisher who wrote in Hindi. (Read our author profile here) (Our translations of her poems "Closed Door" and "Dedication"
     
  2. Alice Ekka (1917-1978): A short story writer from the Munda community. The first Adivasi woman published in Hindi. (Read our author profile here) (Our translation of her story "Durgi's Children and Elma's Dreams"
     
  3. Rose Kerketta (1940-2025): A Kharia poet, writer, translator, and activist, most known for her involvement in the Jharkhand Movement. (Read our author profile here) (Our translation of her poem "I Will Not Go To the Kingdom of Bhutan")
     
  4. Temsüla Ao (1945-2022): An Ao Naga poet, writer, and ethnographer who wrote in English. (Read our author profile here)
     
  5. Grace Kujur (1949- ): A poet and playwright from the Kurukh (exonym: Oraon/Uraon) community who writes in Hindi. (Read our author profile here)
     
  6. Haldhar Nag (1950-): A poet from Odisha who writes in Sambalpuri, sometimes referred to as 'Kosali'. (Read our author profile here) (His poems "Warning" and "Regard for Soil" translated by Surendra Nath)
     
  7. Hari Ram Meena (1952- ): A retired police officer, poet, and writer from the Meena community from writes in Hindi. (Read our author profile here) (Our translations of his untitled epigrams here and here)
     
  8. Mahadev Toppo (1954- ): A Kurukh (exonym: Oraon/Uraon) writer who has written poetry, novellas, short stories and plays in Hindi. (Read our author profile here) (Our translation of his poem "I am a poet of the forest")
     
  9. Mamang Dai (1957- ): An Adi writer who has written novels, poems, and nonfiction in English. (Read our author profile here)
     
  10. Easterine Kire Iralu (1959- ): An Angami Naga writer, poet, translator, and editor who writes in English. (Read our author profile here)
     
  11. Ujjwala Jyoti Tigga (1960- ): A poet and blogger from the Kurukh (exonym: Oraon/Uraon) community who writes in Hindi and English. (Read our author profile here) (Our translation of her poem "Earth's Unnamed Warriors" originally published in the Kavi Man Jani Man anthology edited by Vandana Tete)
     
  12. Damayanti Sinku (1961- ): A writer, poet, and linguist from the Ho community. She has written several dictionaries and grammar books of the Ho language. (Read our author profile here) (Our translation of her poem "Our Jharkhand")
     
  13. Desmond L. Kharmawphlang: A poet, writer, and folklorist from the Khasi community who writes in English. He has published several texts documenting traditional folk tales from communities in Meghalaya. (Read our author profile here)
     
  14. Damayanti Beshra (1962- ): A Santali writer, scholar, and educator. She was the first woman from the Santhal community to publish a book of poems. She writes in both Santhali and Odia. (Read our author profile here)
     
  15. Vandana Tete (1969- ): A writer, playwright, activist, and editor who writes in Hindi and Kharia. She has several publications dedicated to the documentation and preservation of indigenous culture, literature, and languages. (Read our author profile here) (Our translations of her poems "Revolutionaries" and "I'll Be the Most Beautiful Woman")
     
  16. Gladson Dungdung (1980- ): A prolific journalist and activist from the Kharia community who has written extensively on Adivasi issues, with a focus on land rights, forest rights, and environmental concerns. He writes in English. (Read our author profile here)
     
  17. Jacinta Kerketta (1983-): A poet and journalist from the Kurukh (exonym: Uraon/Oraon) community who has been active in advocating for Adivasi communities in Jharkhand. She writes mainly in Hindi. (Read our author profile here) (Our translations of her poems "Care""Can You Return?", and "Jamuni, Stop Yourself from Being Sold")
     
  18. Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar (1983- ): A writer and translator from the Santhal community. His works in English, including The Adivasi WIll Not Dance, have received widespread critical acclaim. (Read our author profile here)
     
  19. Sushma Asur (1983- ): A writer and poet from the Asur community who is interested in preserving Asuri language and culture. (Read our author profile here) (Our translation of her poems "The Mountain's Home is Gone" and "How Many Days?")
     
  20. Anuj Lugun (1986- ): One of the most compelling Hindi-language poets writing about Adivasi issues today. A writer from the Munda community, Lugun is especially powerful on issues relating to environmental destruction, displacement, and Adivasi identity. (Read our author profile here) (Our translations of his poems "Adivasi""Globe", and "Red Indians, P.S.: 'To you, this land is nothing more than enemy territory.'")
     
  21. Dakxin Bajrange Chhara: A filmmaker, director, actor, and activist from the Chhara (Sansi) community in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. (Read our author profile here)
     
  22. Raghunath Murmu (1905-1982): A Santhali writer who created the Ol Chiki script for writing the Santhali language. (English Wikipedia) (Hindi Wikipedia) (An article on the development of the script)  (A documentary about Murmu directed by Prabal Mahto and produced by Tata Steel) 
     
  23. Pyara Kerketta (1903-1973): A Kharia writer who published the first short story in the Kharia language. (Our translation of his short story "Bertha's marriage") (Hindi Wikipedia)
     
  24. Jaipal Singh Munda (1903-1970): A Munda writer and member of the Constituent Assembly, Olympic gold medalist, and advocate for creation of an Adivasi state (Jharkhand). His writings and speeches were published in a collection titled Adivasiyat (translated into English as Adivasidom). (English Wikipedia) (Hindi Wikipedia) (A review of his memoir, Lo Bir Sendra) 
     
  25. Angelina Tigga (1909-?) Oraon/Kurukh writer and politician from Ranchi, Jharkhand. President of the Adivasi Mahila Sangh in 1939; also served as an MP (Rajya Sabha) from 1952-1954. (Brief bio here) (English Wikipedia
     
  26. Shanti Khalkho (1963- ) is an Oraon/Kurukh writers from Jharkhand. In 1993, she completed a Ph.d. from ranchi University on "The Direction of Cultural Change Among the Oraon Tribes." She publishes in both Hindi and Kurukh, and her writings have been broadcast on All-India Radio. She is the author of four books. A selection of her poems appeared in the anthology Kavi Man Jani Man. Our translation of her poem, "Green Jharkhand" is here.
     
  27. Yashoda Murmu (1964- ) is a Santhali (Santali) writer originally from Jharkhand, who currently resides in Kolkata. She has published two books, Towa Dare and Sanwhet Dare. She writes in the Santali language. A selection of her poems is included in the Kavi Man Jani Man anthology; see our translation of her poem "Primitive Jarawa."
     
  28. Anu Suman Big
  29. Arun Kumar Oraon
     
  30. Avinuo Kire, Contemporary Naga writer from Nagaland. Aughor of The Power to Forgive and Other Stories (short stories), Where Wildflowers Grow a collection of poetry), and co-author of Naga Heritage Centre: People Stories.  (Brief profile here)
     
  31. Chandramohan Kisku (1982- ): Santhali writer, poet and translator writing in Hindi and Santhali. Received the Sahitya Akademi Translation Award in 2021 for translating a Bengali novel into Santhali. (Hindi article on the award) (Hindi profile of the author)
     
  32. Dayamani Barla: A contemporary journalist and activist from the Munda community. Known as the 'Iron Lady of Jharkhand' for her activism against the displacement and dispossession of Adivasi people. (English Wikipedia) (Hindi Wikipedia) (Documentary about her activism) (UMass Lowell 2023 Greeley Scholar for Peace Studies profile)
     
  33. Diamond Meena
     
  34. Dr. Francisca Kujur (1959- ): Kurukh/Oraon writer, poet and translator from Jharkhand who writes in Kurukh and Hindi. (Our translation of her poems "Just Think, Hira" and "Only Questions"(Hindi profile)
     
  35. Ganga Sahay Meena. Short story "The Night of Poush" appears in the Lokpriya Adivasi Kahaniya anthology. 
     
  36. Gomasta Prasad Soren
  37. Jamuna Beanie
  38. Janardan Gond. His short story "Bonded Laborer" appears in Lokpriya Adivasi Kahaniya
     
  39. Joram Yalam Nabam: A contemporary writer, novelist, and poet from the Tani people of Arunachal Pradesh writing in Hindi. (Our translation of her short story "Her Name was Yapi"(Hind profile and selected prose)
     
  40. Jyoti Lakra (1976- ): Kurukh/Oraon writer and poet writing in Hindi. Her work deals with themes of Adivasiyat, feminism, and resistance. She is also an artist currently pursuing an MFA at the University of East London. (Our translation of her poem "The Sal Tree has Fallen" and short story "Korain Duba" here) (LinkedIn profile)
     
  41. Julius Tigga
  42. K. M. Maitree
  43. Kajal Demta
  44. Kalpana Soren
     
  45. Kanuram Devgam (dates unknown): A politician and writer from the Ho community in Jharkhand. According to some sources, he was the first Member of Parliament to be elected from the Singhbhum constituency to the seat reserved from Scheduled Castes in 1952. 
     
  46. Kedar Prasad Meena
     
  47. Kishore Shantabai Kale (1970-2007). A Kolhati writer from the Banjara community. An excerpt from his translated memoir, Against All Odds, is included in G.N. Devy's Painted Words anthology.
     
  48. Lako Bodra (1919-1986): A Ho writer who created the Warang Chiti script for writing the Ho language. (English Wikipedia) (Hindi Wikipedia) (An academic article on Bodra's work)
     
  49. Laltluangliana Khiangte
  50. Laxman Gaikwad (1952- ): A writers from the Pardhi community in Maharashtra. He is best known for his autobiographical novel, Uchalya (The Branded), for which he won the Sahitya Akademi award. (Our translation of his story Bandookya here) (English Wikipedia)
     
  51. Lusku Samad
  52. Maipati Arun Kumar
  53. Majhi Ramdas Tudu
  54. Mennas Odeya
  55. Moti Ravan Kangali (also Motirvavan Kangali) (1949-2015). A linguist and author from the Gond community in Maharashtra. (English Wikipedia)
     
  56. Najubai Gavit
     
  57. Narayan (1940- 2022): A Malayarayar writer from Kerala who wrote in Malayalam. He is widely considered the first Adivasi writer from Kerala to be published. He has written 11 novels and 5 short story anthologies. (Our translation of his short story "The Birth of Pravachak" here) (English Wikipedia)
     
  58. Nirmila Putul Murmu (1972- ): A Santhali writer, poet, and activist writing in Hindi. (Hindi Wikipedia) (A profile of and interview with Putul here) ("Buru Gaara", a documentary about Dayamanti Birla and Nirmala Putul, here(Critical Analysis of Nirmala Putul's Poems on Adivasi Women) (Hindi poems here) 
     
  59. Nitisha Khalkho
  60. Nuas Kerketta
  61. Nzanmongi Jasmine Patton. A contemporary Lotha Naga writer, and author of A Girl Swallowed by a Tree (2017).
     
  62. Paddam Anasuya. Koya (Koitur) writer and author of the Telugu-language collection of short stories, Chappudu, reviewed here.
     
  63. Peter Paul Ekka (unknown- 2018): A Hindi writer from the Kurukh community. (English obituary here) (Read his short story "Ve Chaar Varsh" or "Those Four Years" in Hindi here)
     
  64. Prabhakar Tikri
  65. Pushpa Tete: An activist and journalist, who hs written for Dainik Jagran, Ranchi Express, Prabhat Khabar and many other periodicals. She was involved in the Netarhat movement against the construction of a military firing range in Jharkhand. She is a co-editor of Jaago Adivasi Jaago
     
  66. Pyari Tuti (1951- ): A Mundari writer and poet writing primarily in the Mundari language. (Our translation of her poem "Environment" here)
     
  67. Raghunath Tudu
     
  68. Ram Dayal Munda (1939- 2011): A scholar from the Munda community with an interest in anthropology, linguistics, folklore, and more. (English Wikipedia) (Hindi Wikipedia) (Naachi Se Baanchi, a documentary on Munda)
     
  69. Robin S. Nagangom
  70. Ruby Hembrom: A publisher and author from Kolkata, West Bengal. Ruby Hembrom founded the Adivaani Publishing House, a publishing company devoted to Adivasi literature. She is the daughter of theologian Timotheas Hembrom, a member of the Santhal community. (English Wikipedia)
     
  71. Ruplal Bedia
  72. Sadhu Ramchand Murmu
  73. Salu Majhi
  74. Sardar Singh Meena
  75. Sarada Prasad Kisku
  76. Shyam Sundar Hembram
  77. Sunil Minj
  78. Sunil Kumar 'Suman'
  79. Sundar Manoj Hembram. Short story "The Last Bus of Nighttime Bengal" appears in Lokpriya Adivasi Kahaniya. 
  80. Sushila Dhurve
  81. Thakur Prasad Murmu
  82. Timotheas Hembrom (1939-2020): A Santhali theologian, and editor of the Santali magazine Jug-Sirijol. (English Wikipedia)
     
  83. Turia Chand Baskey
     
  84. Ushakiran Atram: A Gondi poet, writer, and activist from Maharashtra who writes in Gondi, Marathi, and Hindi. Motyarin (1993) was the first anthology to be published in the Gondi language. (Our translation of her poem "Mother Don't Kill Me in the Womb!" here) (Read her essay "The Protector: Ravan was a Gond King" here) (An interview with her here) (An academic essay on her work here)
     
  85. Vahru Sonawane (also spelled Waharu Sonawane) (exact dates unknown): A Bhil writer and activist from Maharashtra. (Interview with the author) (Hindi poems) (His poem "Stage" in translation quoted here) (Watch Sonawane recite "Stage" in Hindi here)
     
  86. Walter Bhengra 'Tarun': A Hindi journalist, writer, and poet from the Munda community. (Our translation of his short story "Sangi")  (Hindi profile here) (Hindi language books for sale here) (An academic article in Hindi on Bhengra's fiction here)
  87. Mangal Singh Munda. Short story "Deception" appears in Lokpriya Adivasi Kahaniya anthology. 
  88. Krishna Chandra Tudu. Short story "A Span of Land" appears in the Lokpriya Adivasi Kahaniya anthology.
     
  89. Yeshe Dorje Thongchi (1952- ). Adivasi writer from Arunachal Pradesh. Author of many books and winner of the Padma Shri as well as the Sahitya Akademy Awards. His short Story "Mirror" appears in the Lokpriya Adivasi Kahaniya anthology. (English Wikipedia) (Short story online here)
     
  90. Sikra Das Tirkey. Short story "Baghjogni on a New Moon Night" appears in the Lokpriya Adivasi Kahaniya anthology.
  91. Krishna Mohan Singh Munda. Short story "Leelmani's Duty" appears in the Lokpriya Adivasi Kahaniya anthology
  92. Rajendra Munda. Short story "Morhi" appears in the Lokpriya Adivasi Kahaniya anthology.
  93. Shishir Tudu. Their short story "Stain" appears in the Lokpriya Adivasi Kahaniya anthology.

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