Tribal Literature: Concept, Nature and Scope

Abstract The glorious history of tribal communities and the contribution of tribal revolutionaries to the Indian freedom movement are major sources of inspiration for Tribal Literature. The struggles of tribal communities against colonial rule, exploitation, dispossession, and the destruction of their traditional rights and natural resources, as well as the sacrifices and martyrdoms of tribal revolutionaries, occupy an important place in this literary tradition. These resistance movements have been represented through poetry, biographies, autobiographies, novels, dramas, short stories, and other literary forms. Such works not only commemorate the sacrifices of tribal revolutionaries but also seek to strengthen the historical consciousness and cultural identity of tribal communities.Both tribal and non-tribal writers have contributed significantly to the development of Tribal Literature. Their contributions are evident across diverse literary and intellectual forms, including poetry, short stories, novels, biographies, autobiographies, travelogues, drama, essays, and literary periodicals. Collectively, these writings have given effective expression to tribal identity, historical consciousness, cultural memory, social concerns, resistance, and the struggle for dignity and justice. Tribal Literature has therefore evolved beyond the mere literary representation of tribal life and has emerged as an important intellectual, cultural, and socio-historical discourse. This research Paper focuses on concept, nature and scope of tribal literature in detail.