Grant Amount: US$ 20,211

Keywords: CULTURE, EQUITY, DISSEMINATION, INDIA

Geographic coverage: India

Objective

The objective of this project is to use information and communications technology (ICT) tools for preserving the cultural heritage of small and marginalized communities.


Research context

The project team conceptualized Unsung Among Us with the vision to collect, document and disseminate indigenous knowledge through the creation of digital film and media. The project was started as part of the People’s Plan Programme in 1997 under the leadership of Karakulam Grama Panchayath, in Kerala. Unsung Among Us evolved into an organized centre focused on rural development through ICTs and human resource development such as self-help and employment training.


Target beneficiaries

The direct beneficiaries are the indigenous peoples of Kerala whose culture and knowledge is showcased to the global community though ICT-based content creation and distribution. Cultural heritage and indigenous knowledge is a valuable resource for all and thus humanity as a whole benefits from their preservation.


Outputs

• Multimedia Compact Disks (CDs) containing audio, video and animation;
• A multimedia website with space for ongoing development of the project; and
• A project report.

Research results and outcomes

The project goal to identify, familiarize and document those who are living but ‘Unsung Among Us’ was successful. The project team developed a participatory model to document indigenous knowledge of Kerala and noted that this process demonstrated local strengths, empowered those involved, built capacity and democratized knowledge.

To implement this project, the Unsung team worked with an organization called Adikala as the local associate. With the partnership and participation of Adikala volunteers, the team was able to undertake the entire filmmaking process, from the discussion of goals and objectives, through development of scripts and stories, into filming and editing and finally disseminating the completed work. The project team provided training in cinematography, sound recording and editing, held a workshop on the development of scripts and conducted seminars to brainstorm with interested groups, discuss characters and manage group forums. The team has also implemented pilot film projects in Thiruvananthapuram and Patha-namthitta Districts.

The completed films cover folklore and folk drama, ritualistic art forms, linguistics, music, martial arts, Dalit culture, indigenous technology and indigenous medicine. The project team also produced a number of related media outputs such as, an anti-epidemic awareness film; a handbook on health, sanitation and environmental management; a book on management development mechanisms; and periodicals on rural employment, women empowerment and public participation.

The team established an office facility at the Information Technology Centre (IITC) at Grameena Patana Kendram (GPK). The studio provides technological know-how and quality control to the project. The project team has employed a group of professionals from IITC/GPK for post-production. Members of the team acquired knowledge related to documentary filmmaking, helping them to facilitate more creative contributions from the community stakeholders in the future.

Project Duration

Start Date: January 2004
End Date: December 2004
Total Duration: 12 Months

Contact information

Suhruth Kumar
Grammena Patna Kendram
Karakulam, Thiruvantapuram
Kerala 695564, India
Telephone: +91 47 1237 1463
Fax: +91 47 1237 2287
Email: info@unsung.info, info@grameena.org

Website: http://www.unsung.info

Reference website: http://www.grameena.org