Bridging Cultures: RISE Foundation’s Tribal Language Dictionaries Transform Education

Pune, 21st February 2025: As the world celebrates International Language Day, a spotlight shines bright on the crucial efforts to preserve linguistic diversity, particularly among endangered tribal languages in Maharashtra. The RISE Foundation is at the forefront of this mission, working tirelessly to document, promote, and revitalize the ancient dialects of the region’s tribal communities.

Known for its rich cultural heritage, Maharashtra is home to numerous tribal communities, each with its unique language and traditions However, these languages face significant challenges, including a declining number of speakers, a lack of formal documentation, and the pressures of modernisation Without intervention, these linguistic treasures face the risk of being lost forever, taking with them, a wealth of cultural knowledge and identity.

RISE Foundation, under the visionary leadership of Rushikesh Khilare, has embarked on a mission to reverse this trend. The foundation’s work is rooted in the understanding that language is the cornerstone of culture and identity. “When we preserve a language, we preserve a world,” says Khilare adding. “Each tribal language is a repository of unique knowledge, history, and traditions It is our duty to ensure that these voices are not silenced”

The foundation’s initiatives encompass a wide range of activities, including:

*  Language Documentation Projects: Meticulously recording and archiving tribal languages, including their grammar, vocabulary, and oral traditions. The RISE Foundation has published an encyclopaedia of 831,785 words for seven tribal languages.

*  Literacy Programmes: Developing educational material in tribal languages to promote literacy and ensure that children can learn in their mother tongue.

*  Oral Storytelling Archives: Collecting and preserving traditional stories, songs, and folklore, which are vital to the cultural transmission of knowledge. To this end, the foundation has curated 10,390 tribal folk stories, 1,163 tribal folk songs, and 123 tribal folk legends.

*  Digital Preservation Initiatives: Utilising technology to create digital resources, such as dictionaries and language learning apps, to make tribal languages accessible to a wider audience.

RISE Foundation is also documenting tribal knowledge, with 893 types of tribal medicine, 139 types of tribal vegetables, and 113 types of tribal nutritional food items catalogued.

One of RISE Foundation’s notable achievements is the creation of a Korku language dictionary, which includes 704 Korku words. This dictionary has been instrumental in improving children’s comprehension and making education more engaging According to teachers in the region, the dictionary has helped to bridge the communication gap between students and teachers, leading to a more positive learning experience. The foundation has also produced a ‘Pawri Language Dictionary’ of around 4,500 words, which has been very well received in the community.

The RISE Foundation’s work extends beyond language documentation and education It also focuses on community engagement, working closely with tribal elders, linguists, and researchers to ensure that its initiatives are culturally appropriate and sustainable.

“Our approach is collaborative,” explains Khilare. “We believe that the best way to preserve a language is to empower the community to take ownership of it We work with local communities to develop educational materials, train teachers, and promote the use of tribal languages in everyday life”, he adds.

The foundation’s efforts have garnered recognition from various organisations, including a global research award from the University of Malawi in collaboration with a trust in Hyderabad, underscoring the global significance of its work.

Looking ahead, the RISE Foundation remains committed to its mission of preserving and revitalizing tribal languages in Maharashtra It is working to expand its programs to reach more communities and to develop new and innovative ways to promote linguistic diversity.

“The preservation of tribal languages is not just a matter of academic interest,” concludes Khilare adding, “It is a matter of social justice and cultural survival. We must continue to support these efforts to ensure that future generations can inherit the rich linguistic heritage of Maharashtra’s tribal communities.”