Adivasi Writers: An Introduction to India's Indigenous Literature

Vandana Tete (1969- ): Author Profile

Vandana Tete (वंदना टेटे; surname pronounced "Te Te" with a retroflex 'T' sound) is a prominent Adivasi writer from Jharkhand, mainly publishing in Hindi. She was born in the Simdega district (then part of Bihar, now Jharkhand). She is the granddaughter of Pyara Kerketta, a well-known Adivasi activist and writer, as well as the daughter of Rose Kerketta, also an accomplished writer. (Rose Kerketta unfortunately recently passed away; her obituary can be read here)

Vandana Tete edited Jharkhand's first multilingual magazine Jharkhandi Bhasha, Sahitya, Sanskriti: Akhra' (since 2004). She has also been involved with a Kharia magazine called Sorinaning (since 2005) as well as a Nagpuri magazine Johar Sahiya.

She has acted in street plays and directed and conducted drama workshops on women's issues and social, educational and health issues. She is currently working with the Pyaara Kerketta Foundation, Ranchi for the preservation, promotion and development of tribal and indigenous language, literature and culture of Jharkhand.

Some of her book titles include: Kavi Mann Jani Mann, Purkha Ladake, Kiska Raj Hai, Jharkhand: Ek Antaheen Samargatha, Purkha Jharkhandi Sahityakar aur Naye Sakshatkar, Asur Siring, Adivasi Sahitya : Parampara aur Prayojan, Aadim Raag, Konjoga, Alice Ekka ki Kahaniyan (a collection of Alice Ekka's stories), and Adivasi Darshan aur Sahitya. 

Learn more: 

Hindi Wikipedia entry
Selection of poetry by Vandana Tete in Hindi
Vandana Tete speaking in an Instagram video (Hindi) 

Article by Vandana Tete in Outlook India: "Why Tribal Literature cannot be Divided into Folk Literature and 'Nobel' Literature" (Outlook India)

Interview with Vandana Tete here -- described her family background and education experience in Rajasthan. Also describes her experiences of discrimination on the basis of her Adivasi background. There is also a helpful discussion of Adivasiyat here. 




 

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