Voices of the Plainland Santals

The documentary heritage of the plainland Santal community exists mostly in fragile, handwritten, or orally transmitted forms. In many households, materials were kept without protection from humidity, insects, or decay. Much of this knowledge was retained only in the memories of elders who had never shared their stories beyond the village.

With cultural transitions and the decline of intergenerational storytelling, Santal cultural memory was in danger of disappearing. This project prevents this loss through scientific conservation, high-quality digital preservation, and the creation of a public online archive—ensuring future generations can explore authentic Santal heritage.

• Identify and preserve fragile documentary materials across Santal communities.
• Digitize heritage including manuscripts, songbooks, photographs, and audio-visual content using archival standards.
• Develop a bilingual digital archive to present materials in a structured, accessible format.
• Empower Santal youth by involving them in field documentation, scanning, cataloging, and storytelling.
• Create knowledge products (documentary film, digital exhibition, e-publication) to communicate heritage widely.

A research-driven, community-centered approach guided the project, applying both qualitative and technical methods:

• Community-Based Documentation: Researchers engaged in group discussions with elders, women, and youth; interviewed cultural leaders; and observed rituals to ensure authenticity.
• Material Review & Conservation: Every collected item—songbooks, manuscripts, tools—was evaluated and treated for preservation.
• Digitization & Metadata: High-resolution scanning, photography, and audio/video recording were paired with detailed metadata (language, context, relevance).
• Archive Development: Construction of a bilingual online platform featuring searchable thematic collections and a digital repository.
• Knowledge Production: Creation of a documentary film, digital exhibition, and e-publication to summarize findings.

• Trained field researchers
• Santal youth volunteers
• Digitization equipment & Conservation materials
• Archival software & Community support

• Collection of materials
• Conservation treatment
• Digitization & Metadata
• Narrative documentation
• Website development
• Film & E-pub Production

• Over 300 items digitized and 120+ materials conserved.
• Bilingual digital archive launched.
• 10-minute documentary film produced and Digital exhibition published.
• Comprehensive e-publication developed.
• Local youth trained in digital preservation.

1. 1 Community Consultation: Engaging elders, youth, farmers, and cultural leaders to identify priorities.
2. 2 Material Assessment: Reviewing households for fragile manuscripts, songbooks, and artifacts.
3. 3 Scientific Conservation: Applying preservation treatments to delicate documents to stop decay.
4. 4 Digitization & Recording: Scanning text, photographing objects, and recording audio/video of rituals.
5. 5 Metadata Creation: Cataloging items with descriptions, language data, and cultural context.
6. 6 Archive Development: Launching the bilingual online platform and repository.
7. 7 Knowledge Dissemination: Releasing the film, exhibition, and e-publication to the public.

• Expand the Digital Archive: Digitize collections from more Santal villages.
• Create a Community Heritage Center: A physical space for safe storage and learning.
• Strengthen Youth Capacity: Further training in conservation and storytelling.
• Advance Research Work: Partner with academic institutions for deeper study.
• Develop Educational Materials: Produce books and tools for Santal schools.