Class 11 NCERT Solutions eNGLISH 

Woven Words essay Chapter 4

Tribal Verse

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT 

1. Identify the common characteristics shared by tribal communities all over the world.

20 words:

Tribal communities live in harmony with nature, avoid wealth accumulation, and value emotions, tradition, spirituality, and collective unity.

40 words:

Tribal people around the world are known for living close to nature, avoiding material wealth, and sharing a collective, spiritual, and emotional view of life. They value traditions, oral history, and community bonds over individual gain or materialism.

60 words:

Tribal communities across the world are culturally alike. They avoid accumulating wealth, focus on emotional bonds, and live in harmony with nature and spiritual beliefs. They rely on intuition over reason and prioritize community unity. Their lifestyle connects nature, humans, and God, creating a balanced, respectful existence rooted in tradition and oral knowledge, rather than modern individualism.

80 words:

Tribal communities globally share common traits like deep respect for nature, spiritual belief systems, emotional expression, and an oral tradition-based lifestyle. They live collectively and avoid hoarding wealth or capital. Their worldview unites humans, nature, and divinity. Rather than relying on reason, they trust intuition. Time is personal, not fixed, and space is sacred. Their traditions are passed orally through generations, highlighting their cohesive and culturally rich existence which contrasts with modern, secular, materialistic societies.

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2. What distinguishes the tribal imagination from the secular imagination?

20 words:

Tribal imagination is emotional and dreamlike, while secular imagination is logical, self-conscious, and based on written creativity.

40 words:

Tribal imagination freely blends reality and fantasy, where animals speak and stars grow. It’s emotional and spiritual. In contrast, secular imagination is rational, structured, and centers around individual creativity, often replacing divine inspiration with self-expression.

60 words:

Tribal imagination is fluid, spiritual, and emotional, blending various elements like animals, nature, and ancestors into dreamlike stories. It does not follow strict order or logic. Secular imagination, however, is more structured, rational, and creator-centered. Tribal art allows emotional motifs to guide storytelling, while secular art follows defined grammar and narrative rules, often disconnected from spiritual beliefs.

80 words:

The tribal imagination is intuitive, dreamlike, and emotionally driven. It mixes past and present, fantasy and reality, where animals talk and mountains swim. It reflects spiritual beliefs and community emotions. The secular imagination, however, is rational, structured, and often replaces God with individual creativity. While tribal art flows freely, secular art is self-aware and constrained by narrative rules. This difference shows how tribal stories remain connected to collective memory and rituals, whereas secular ones focus on logic and personal insight.

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3. How does G.N. Devy bring out the importance of the oral literary tradition?

20 words:

G.N. Devy stresses that oral literature is rich, meaningful, and must be preserved before it disappears due to neglect.

40 words:

Devy emphasizes that oral traditions are vital parts of tribal heritage. They carry deep knowledge and cultural wisdom passed across generations. Without recognizing them as literature, we risk losing a vast treasure of stories, songs, and tribal worldviews.

60 words:

G.N. Devy explains that tribal oral traditions hold deep cultural and emotional value. These stories and songs, though unwritten, are powerful tools of expression and memory. He urges redefining literature to include oral works, or else these traditions will fade. His efforts in collecting tribal songs highlight their importance and the urgent need for preservation in a changing world.

80 words:

G.N. Devy highlights that oral traditions are a rich part of India's tribal literature. These expressions, though not written, convey history, culture, emotions, and identity. He criticizes the limited view of literature as only written works, urging recognition of oral narratives. He warns that print culture and modernization are erasing these valuable traditions. His collection efforts and research stress that if we don’t act soon, these treasures of oral wisdom, memory, and creativity will be lost forever.

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4. List the distinctive features of the tribal arts.

20 words:

Tribal arts are oral, playful, emotion-driven, ritual-based, nature-connected, and blend sacred with ordinary through imaginative expression.

40 words:

Tribal arts include oral stories, symbolic rituals, and nature-based expressions. They blend humor and spirituality, follow past traditions, and use imagination freely. Their playfulness, deep memory, and emotional storytelling reflect a living, performing art culture, not fixed or text-bound.

60 words:

Distinctive features of tribal arts include oral storytelling, strong memory, playfulness, ritual connection, and a blend of sacred and ordinary life. These arts are deeply emotional, passed through generations, and often use nature as a symbol. Their hallucinatory imagination, bilingual nature, and performative essence reflect a living tradition that values past customs while allowing room for individual creativity and cultural resilience.

80 words:

Tribal arts stand out for being oral, community-based, ritualistic, and emotionally expressive. They use dreamlike, imaginative imagery where logic isn’t strictly followed. Humor blends with sacred elements. These arts don’t aim for commercial sale but focus on communal joy, tradition, and spiritual connection. Their bilingualism, deep-rooted memory, and performance-based storytelling reflect a fluid, dynamic culture. Even though they follow conventions, tribal artists creatively twist traditions, keeping their art alive and relatable. Tribal art isn’t just visual or written—it’s lived.

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5. ‘New literature’ is a misnomer for the wealth of the Indian literary tradition. How does G.N. Devy explain this?

20 words:

Devy says tribal literature isn’t new—it’s ancient. People just didn’t notice it earlier due to written-text bias.

40 words:

G.N. Devy argues that tribal literature isn’t new. It has existed for centuries but was ignored due to its oral form. Western scholars and literary critics failed to recognize it as true literature because it wasn’t written or printed traditionally.

60 words:

G.N. Devy explains that calling tribal literature “new” is misleading. These oral traditions have existed for ages, rich in wisdom and creativity. However, due to a strong bias for written texts, they were overlooked. The tribal voices were always present; it’s just that the mainstream failed to acknowledge them. Their recent recognition doesn’t make them recent creations—it highlights earlier neglect.

80 words:

G.N. Devy clarifies that the term “new literature” wrongly suggests tribal literature is a recent phenomenon. In truth, tribal oral traditions have existed for generations, carrying cultural depth and creativity. They were long ignored because they weren't written. With the growing awareness, people are now acknowledging these oral expressions. Devy stresses this is not a literary trend but a delayed recognition of a vast, existing heritage that was always part of India’s literary fabric but denied a platform due to literary elitism.

APPRECIATION 

1. How does ‘A Munda Song’ show that the perspective of the tribal mind towards the girl child is different from that of (other) mainstream communities?

✅ 20 words:

The Munda song values daughters more than sons, linking them with prosperity, unlike mainstream views that often prefer sons.

✅ 40 words:

In ‘A Munda Song,’ the birth of a daughter brings a full cowshed, symbolizing prosperity. A son, in contrast, empties it. This shows that Munda society values daughters highly—unlike many mainstream communities that still view sons as more desirable.

✅ 60 words:

‘A Munda Song’ reflects a progressive tribal mindset. It associates the birth of a daughter with a full cowshed and prosperity, while a son’s birth is linked with loss. This stands in contrast to many mainstream beliefs that favour male children. In Munda society, women have strong roles in economic and ritual life, making daughters truly valued assets.

✅ 80 words:

The Munda song portrays daughters as sources of prosperity and blessings. It says a daughter’s birth fills the cowshed, symbolizing wealth and good fortune. In contrast, the birth of a son depletes resources. This unique tribal perspective reverses the mainstream mindset, where sons are often preferred. The Munda community respects women for their economic and social contributions. By celebrating the girl child, the song beautifully emphasizes the tribe’s deep-rooted belief in equality, respect, and the important role of daughters.

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2. How does ‘A Kondh Song’ substantiate the tribal urge to gain domination over time by conversing with their dead ancestors?

✅ 20 words:

The Kondh song speaks to the spirit of the dead, showing a tribal desire to connect with the past continuously.

✅ 40 words:

In the song, the living offer gifts and plead with the dead spirit not to harm them. This reflects the tribal belief that the past is alive and interactive. Talking to ancestors is their way of controlling time and memory.

✅ 60 words:

‘A Kondh Song’ highlights how tribals converse with dead spirits during rituals. The community requests the spirit to leave peacefully, offering respect and gifts. This interaction shows their strong connection with ancestors and their desire to influence time by keeping the past alive. These traditions reflect how tribal cultures remember and engage with time emotionally, not chronologically, turning memory into a living force.

✅ 80 words:

The Kondh song captures the deep tribal belief in communicating with ancestors. By speaking to the spirit of a dead person and asking it not to bring harm, the living try to maintain harmony with the past. This reflects a strong tribal urge to control and connect with time—not by conquering space like others do, but through memory and ritual. The living become caretakers of the past, showing that for the Kondhs, the line between the past and present remains active and sacred.

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3. ‘Adi Song for the Recovery of Lost Health’ is in Miri Agom while Adi Agom is the Adi community’s language for routine conversation. How does this reflect upon the high level of language sensitivity of the Adi? Can you think of other parallels in modern languages between the literary variety and the colloquial variety?

✅ 20 words:

The Adi use Miri Agom for rituals, showing language sensitivity. Like Sanskrit and Hindi, literary and spoken forms differ elsewhere too.

✅ 40 words:

The Adis use two languages—Miri Agom for rituals and Adi Agom for daily use. This shows a high respect for tradition and language purity. Similarly, modern languages like Hindi and Sanskrit or Tamil and its classical forms also show such differences.

✅ 60 words:

The Adi tribe’s use of Miri Agom for chants and Adi Agom for conversation highlights their advanced language sensitivity. They assign sacred language to rituals and daily language to common use. This mirrors modern practices—like using Sanskrit for mantras while speaking Hindi every day, or using formal English in literature and informal English in conversation. It shows respect for context and cultural depth.

✅ 80 words:

The Adi community’s use of Miri Agom for rituals and Adi Agom for daily life reflects their deep understanding of language function and sacredness. They maintain a clear boundary between literary and conversational language. This distinction is similar to the difference between Sanskrit and Hindi in India or between formal and spoken English globally. Many cultures keep ceremonial languages alive for religious, literary, or formal use while using simpler versions for everyday communication, proving how language can shape identity and preserve heritage.

EXTRA QUESTIONS 

✅ 1. Why is oral literature important in tribal communities?

20 words:

Oral literature preserves culture, memory, and emotions. It passes stories, songs, and rituals through generations without written records.

40 words:

Oral literature in tribal societies maintains their identity. It includes songs, rituals, and stories passed through memory and performance. This living tradition binds the community, preserves beliefs, and keeps their unique worldview alive in the absence of written texts.

60 words:

Oral literature is the foundation of tribal culture. It transmits knowledge, values, and traditions without relying on writing. Through singing, storytelling, and rituals, elders pass down wisdom to the next generation. It keeps history alive, reflects the community’s spirit, and offers emotional connection to ancestors, nature, and social customs, making it a crucial part of tribal identity and continuity.

80 words:

In tribal communities, oral literature is more than storytelling—it’s a cultural lifeline. Passed down from elders to youth, it includes songs, chants, rituals, and myths that preserve tribal history, beliefs, and identity. Without written records, this oral tradition becomes the main source of knowledge transmission. It also fosters emotional bonding, communal participation, and respect for nature and ancestors. Oral literature keeps their way of life alive, making it essential for understanding and preserving India’s tribal heritage.

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✅ 2. How do tribal people view nature?

20 words:

Tribal people see nature as sacred, living, and responsive. They respect and live in harmony with it, not exploit it.

40 words:

Tribal communities treat nature as a divine presence. Trees, rivers, animals, and land are sacred. They believe in coexistence, where humans and nature help each other. Their songs, rituals, and stories reflect this strong emotional and spiritual bond with nature.

60 words:

Nature is central to tribal life and culture. They see it not as a resource to exploit, but as a living, sacred force that must be respected. Whether it’s the sun, moon, or animals, each element of nature is considered emotionally connected to human life. Their festivals, songs, and rituals revolve around natural cycles, showing their deep understanding and harmony with the environment.

80 words:

Tribal communities consider nature as divine and deeply connected to human life. For them, nature is not just a setting—it’s a spiritual companion. Trees, rivers, animals, and even stars are living entities that communicate with people. Their songs, such as those in ‘Tribal Verse,’ show how birth, death, and healing are tied to nature. They don’t believe in conquering nature but living with it. Their eco-friendly traditions highlight how humanity can survive peacefully with the natural world.

✅ 3. What is meant by the 'tribal vision of life'?

20 words:

It means a worldview where nature, humans, and spirits are connected. Tribal life values emotions, tradition, and balance with nature.

40 words:

The tribal vision of life reflects a belief in harmony between humans, nature, and divine forces. Tribals view life spiritually, emotionally, and ritually. They live intuitively, not logically, believing that everything—from stars to trees—is alive and interconnected.

60 words:

The tribal vision of life refers to how tribals understand the world around them. They see no separation between nature, humans, and spirits. They live with intuition, not logic, and believe in respect, balance, and emotional connection. This vision appears in their songs, rituals, and stories, showing that life is not just survival but spiritual and harmonious living.

80 words:

‘Tribal vision of life’ means viewing the world as a unified whole. Tribals believe that nature, humans, and spirits are emotionally connected. For them, time is personal, space is sacred, and life is spiritual. They live intuitively, respecting the earth, animals, and ancestors. Their songs and rituals reflect this vision. Unlike the modern world driven by logic and materialism, tribal vision promotes emotional depth, natural balance, and communal joy. It is a holistic approach to living in peace with the world.

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✅ 4. Why are tribal languages often misunderstood or ignored?

20 words:

Tribal languages are oral and bilingual, so outsiders mistakenly call them dialects of major languages and ignore their richness.

40 words:

Many tribal communities are bilingual, using both their own language and a regional one. This leads outsiders to think tribal languages are just dialects. Since they lack scripts and literature in print, they’re often ignored, though they’re rich in meaning.

60 words:

Tribal languages are frequently misunderstood because they are mostly oral and bilingual. Outsiders often think these are just dialects of dominant regional languages. Since tribal stories, songs, and rituals aren’t written or widely published, they’re ignored by scholars. G.N. Devy argues that these languages hold deep cultural and literary value and must be treated with equal respect to preserve India’s linguistic diversity.

80 words:

Tribal languages are ignored because they are rarely written, often bilingual, and not part of mainstream education. Outsiders think they’re dialects, not full languages, due to their oral nature and lack of formal grammar or scripts. This leads to their neglect in academic and literary circles. G.N. Devy stresses that this ignorance is unfair because tribal languages carry rich traditions, stories, and cultural expressions. Recognizing and preserving these languages is necessary to protect India’s diverse and ancient oral heritage.

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✅ 5. How does memory shape tribal knowledge systems?

20 words:

Memory is key in tribal life. It preserves knowledge, rituals, songs, and skills without written records across generations.

40 words:

Tribal knowledge is passed through memory, not books. From storytelling to rituals, elders remember and share traditions orally. Their memory holds history, medicine, art, and culture. It’s a powerful way of learning, shaping how tribes live, think, and grow.

60 words:

In tribal communities, memory replaces written records. Knowledge of stories, songs, rituals, healing, and crafts is passed down by remembering and performing. G.N. Devy highlights how memory helps classify objects, preserve language, and build systems of belief. Memory makes their knowledge dynamic, personal, and alive. It strengthens identity and connects generations in a way no book or formal system can.

80 words:

Memory is the backbone of tribal knowledge. Tribes don’t depend on written records or institutional learning. Instead, elders remember and teach stories, rituals, music, and healing traditions. Over time, this memory forms a vast system of knowledge—from understanding nature to crafting tools and preserving history. G.N. Devy shows that their memory is sharp and sacred. It builds emotional and cultural bonds and keeps oral literature alive. This kind of memory-led learning is powerful, personal, and central to tribal identity.

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✅ 6. How do tribal stories challenge the concept of time and space?

20 words:

Tribal stories mix past, present, and future. Mountains fly, oceans walk—time and space follow no logical order.

40 words:

Tribal stories freely shift across time and space. Past, present, and future blend. Oceans fly, animals speak, stars grow. This imaginative storytelling reflects their dreamlike vision, rejecting modern logical sequencing and showing emotional truth over structured reality.

60 words:

In tribal storytelling, time and space are flexible. Past and future blend, and dreamlike elements dominate. Mountains swim, stars grow, and animals speak. These stories ignore logical timelines or fixed geography. G.N. Devy explains that tribal imagination connects emotion with narrative, unlike modern stories that demand order. This challenges conventional storytelling and embraces a more magical, intuitive experience of life.

80 words:

Tribal stories don’t follow chronological timelines or fixed geography. Time and space in their tales are fluid. Oceans fly, trees cry, and ancestors speak—such stories reflect emotion, memory, and imagination rather than strict logic. This dreamlike storytelling is a core part of tribal art. G.N. Devy argues that tribal imagination allows fusion between different worlds and times, creating a powerful narrative experience. These stories help tribes express their beliefs, emotions, and history without being bound by modern storytelling norms.

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✅ 7. What role does playfulness have in tribal arts?

20 words:

Playfulness adds humor and joy. Even in sacred art, tribal artists joke, tease, and enjoy without taking themselves too seriously.

40 words:

Playfulness is central to tribal arts. While deeply spiritual and ritualistic, tribal performances often include humor, teasing, and light-hearted creativity. Artists freely mix sacred with ordinary life. This joy keeps the traditions lively and engaging for the whole community.

60 words:

Tribal arts are rooted in rituals but remain playful and joyful. Artists often include jokes, teasing heroes, or adding unexpected elements in storytelling or painting. G.N. Devy explains that this playful spirit prevents the art from becoming rigid or dull. It makes performances fun, inclusive, and emotional. This balance of the sacred and ordinary creates a relaxed, creative space unique to tribal culture.

80 words:

Playfulness is a unique feature of tribal art. Even when they perform rituals or tell epic stories, tribal artists bring humor, fun, and joy into their expressions. The tone remains light, and no character—even heroes—is above being teased. G.N. Devy emphasizes that tribal creativity is relaxed, non-competitive, and community-centered. This playful tone connects people emotionally, making art enjoyable and participative. It also keeps the tradition flexible and fresh, allowing each generation to reinterpret stories in their own way.

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✅ 8. What is the difference between memory and imagination according to G.N. Devy?

20 words:

Memory connects us to time and the past, while imagination creates images to understand space. Tribals rely more on memory.

40 words:

Devy says imagination helps humans understand space through images, while memory connects them to time and history. Tribal people, who never dominated space, rely more on memory than imagination, using it to preserve their culture, stories, and identity.

60 words:

According to G.N. Devy, imagination helps people understand space by creating mental images, while memory helps connect with time and continuity. Tribals, having no control over land or space, turned to memory as their strength. They preserved stories, rituals, and history in their minds. Memory became a tool for cultural survival, helping them dominate time spiritually when they couldn’t dominate land physically.

80 words:

G.N. Devy explains that imagination and memory serve different purposes. Imagination helps interpret space—how we see the world visually. Memory connects us to time, letting us recall the past and preserve identity. Tribal communities, often denied land or space, focus on memory. They remember stories, rituals, songs, and knowledge passed through generations. This sharp memory helps them dominate time emotionally and culturally. Their art, language, and identity all depend on remembering, not writing—making memory a powerful force in tribal life.

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✅ 9. Why is bilingualism a strength in tribal communities?

20 words:

It allows them to preserve their language while communicating with outsiders. It strengthens both identity and adaptability.

40 words:

Tribal people speak their native language and the state’s major language. This helps preserve their culture and lets them interact with outsiders. Bilingualism builds adaptability without losing identity. It also enriches their songs, stories, and rituals with diverse expressions.

60 words:

Bilingualism in tribal communities is a strength. They maintain their native language for rituals and stories while using the dominant regional language to interact with others. This makes them adaptable yet culturally grounded. It prevents isolation and promotes learning. G.N. Devy highlights that this bilingualism also makes their literature more layered, as songs often mix languages creatively, offering depth and variety.

80 words:

Tribal communities are often bilingual, speaking both their native language and the dominant language of the region. This helps them navigate the outside world while keeping their culture alive. Their oral traditions remain strong in their mother tongue, while bilingual skills offer access to education, governance, and rights. G.N. Devy points out that their songs and stories often blend languages, showing creativity and linguistic richness. Bilingualism makes tribal communities resilient, helping them survive socially, politically, and culturally in modern India.

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✅ 10. What is G.N. Devy's main message in ‘Tribal Verse’?

20 words:

He wants us to value tribal oral literature as real literature and preserve it before it disappears forever.

40 words:

G.N. Devy urges people to recognize oral tribal traditions as true literature. These rich songs, stories, and rituals hold culture and memory. If ignored due to their unwritten form, they may vanish. His message is to preserve and respect them now.

60 words:

The core message of G.N. Devy in ‘Tribal Verse’ is to broaden our definition of literature. He argues that tribal oral traditions are not folklore but real literature filled with emotional, cultural, and spiritual depth. If we continue to focus only on written texts, we risk losing this rich heritage. He calls for recognition, respect, and preservation of tribal voices and art.

80 words:

G.N. Devy’s main message in ‘Tribal Verse’ is a powerful appeal to recognize oral tribal traditions as legitimate and valuable literature. He explains that tribal songs, stories, and rituals hold history, wisdom, and culture that must not be ignored simply because they are not written. These oral works reflect the tribal worldview, emotion, and memory. Devy warns that without timely preservation and academic recognition, these traditions may disappear. His mission is to redefine literature in a way that includes these ancient, vibrant voices.

✅ 11. What is meant by ‘hallucinatory’ imagination in tribal arts?

20 words:

It refers to dreamlike creativity where animals talk, time blends, and nature and humans mix in magical ways.

40 words:

‘Hallucinatory’ imagination means that tribal stories don’t follow logic. They’re full of dreams, magic, and emotion. Birds fly like oceans, and time is flexible. It reflects how tribals view life with feelings, not logic—mixing reality with imagination freely.

60 words:

In tribal art, ‘hallucinatory’ imagination means a free-flowing, dreamlike expression. Stories and paintings ignore logic or sequence. Time and space overlap. Animals talk, mountains float, and gods walk among people. This magical thinking reflects the tribal worldview, where emotions and spiritual beliefs shape creativity. It contrasts with modern art, which is often bound by reason and structure.

80 words:

‘Hallucinatory’ imagination in tribal arts refers to their unique dreamlike, magical storytelling. Tribals blur boundaries between real and unreal—stars grow like plants, animals speak like humans, and oceans fly. There is no fixed sequence or logical order. Instead, emotions, spiritual beliefs, and collective memory shape their creativity. G.N. Devy uses this term to highlight how tribal imagination breaks away from modern realism and celebrates fluid, imaginative thinking where the natural, human, and supernatural exist in harmony and storytelling becomes magical.

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✅ 12. Why are tribal epics and songs disappearing?

20 words:

They are oral, not written. Urbanization, neglect, and lack of preservation threaten their survival with each passing generation.

40 words:

Tribal songs and stories are passed orally, not through books. As modernization spreads, fewer people remember or pass them on. Without preservation, these traditions vanish. G.N. Devy warns that without action, a vast part of cultural heritage may be lost.

60 words:

Tribal epics and songs are disappearing because they’re not written down and depend entirely on memory. Urbanization, print culture, and neglect have weakened the oral chain. Younger generations often move away or lose touch with tradition. As elders pass away without transmitting these stories, the rich tribal heritage is slowly fading. G.N. Devy urges urgent steps to preserve this literature before it disappears forever.

80 words:

Tribal songs and epics face extinction because they are oral and rarely recorded. With modernization, migration, and changing lifestyles, the chain of oral transmission is breaking. Young people are no longer learning or valuing these traditions. Also, print culture prioritizes written texts, ignoring oral art. As elders die, their songs and stories vanish with them. G.N. Devy highlights this crisis and calls for immediate action to collect, record, and recognize tribal literature as a crucial part of India's cultural identity.

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✅ 13. What does G.N. Devy mean by “painted words”?

20 words:

He means tribal stories and songs are like pictures in words—imaginative, visual, emotional, and expressive like paintings.

40 words:

“Painted words” refers to how tribal stories blend art and language. Their words create vivid images, like paintings. The storytelling is emotional, symbolic, and filled with imagination. For Devy, literature and art are deeply connected in tribal expression.

60 words:

G.N. Devy uses the phrase “painted words” to describe the vivid, imaginative, and image-rich storytelling of tribal people. Their oral literature paints mental pictures through emotions, metaphors, and symbols. Just as a painting speaks visually, tribal stories speak emotionally and visually through words. This phrase highlights how tribal expression is more than storytelling—it’s a rich blend of emotion, art, and imagination.

80 words:

The term “painted words” reflects how tribal literature uses emotionally rich, image-filled language that’s as expressive as visual art. Tribal stories and songs don’t just inform—they evoke pictures, emotions, and spiritual experiences. Their oral narratives blur the line between literature and painting, where words become images and images become stories. G.N. Devy uses this term to show how tribal imagination is not confined by written language, and instead, it paints vivid, emotional scenes through spoken word, much like a visual artwork.

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✅ 14. How does tribal literature break the boundaries of conventional storytelling?

20 words:

It mixes timelines, characters, and emotions freely. Stories don’t follow strict order—they flow with feeling, memory, and imagination.

40 words:

Tribal literature doesn’t follow modern narrative rules. There’s no fixed beginning, middle, or end. Emotions guide the story. Gods, animals, and humans interact freely. Myth and reality blend. This breaks conventional storytelling, allowing deeper emotional and cultural expression.

60 words:

Tribal literature is not bound by structure or logic. A story can begin anywhere, mix events from different times, or jump between characters and places. It allows fusion between dreams and reality. The emotional tone leads the narrative, not grammar or sequence. G.N. Devy says this freedom lets tribal storytelling express deeper truths, making it unique and powerful compared to modern, rule-based literature.

80 words:

Tribal literature breaks storytelling boundaries by allowing stories to move beyond structured formats. Events don’t follow linear timelines. Dreams, emotions, and reality merge. Characters from different myths may appear together. Language blends with music and visuals. These stories don’t just entertain—they carry cultural, emotional, and spiritual meaning. G.N. Devy emphasizes that tribal narratives reflect a different worldview—one rooted in feelings and tradition. This non-linear, symbolic, and creative freedom makes tribal literature a powerful, living, and meaningful form of storytelling.

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✅ 15. What makes tribal arts community-driven rather than market-driven?

20 words:

Tribal arts serve rituals and social needs, not profit. Artists perform for their community, not for sale or fame.

40 words:

Tribal arts are created for ceremonies, festivals, and rituals. Artists are often also participants in the ritual. Their work isn’t sold commercially but shared in the community. This makes the art soulful, meaningful, and free from market pressure.

60 words:

Tribal art is deeply rooted in community life. It’s made for worship, healing, celebration, and memory—not for earning money. Artists are respected members of the community, not isolated creators. Because the audience is local and personal, the art remains authentic, emotional, and pure. This non-commercial, communal nature gives tribal arts their charm and keeps them closely tied to tradition and collective values.

80 words:

What makes tribal art unique is that it’s not made for sale—it’s made for the community. Artists often perform during rituals, festivals, and life events like birth and death. Their work is not about fame or money but about meaning, tradition, and connection. Since they don’t compete or market their work, tribal art remains genuine and emotionally rich. G.N. Devy points out that this communal approach preserves authenticity and makes tribal art a true reflection of shared values and sacred expression.

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✅ 16. What does the Adi Song teach us about tribal healing beliefs?

20 words:

It shows that healing involves rituals, nature, family, and spirit. Illness is treated spiritually, not just physically, in Adi tradition.

40 words:

The Adi Song reveals that health is seen as a bond between body and spirit. When spirit leaves, illness occurs. Healing includes chanting, herbs, and emotional care. The song uses Ridin creeper and chants to call back good health.

60 words:

In the Adi Song, illness is believed to be caused by the spirit of health leaving the body. The healer, often a maternal uncle, uses an amulet (Emul), a sacred creeper (Ridin), and chants to bring back the spirit. This reflects how healing in tribal life involves family, nature, ritual, and emotion. It’s not just physical recovery—it’s spiritual reconnection with one’s inner harmony and health.

80 words:

The Adi Song for the recovery of lost health reflects the tribe’s belief that health is spiritual. When someone falls sick, it’s believed their spirit of good health has left the body. The healer, often a close relative, uses rituals, natural elements like Ridin creeper, and chants in Miri Agom to call the spirit back. Healing is not only physical but emotional and spiritual. The song teaches us that tribal healing blends family care, natural remedies, language, and deep respect for the spirit.

✅ 17. Why is translation important for preserving tribal literature?

20 words:

Translation makes tribal songs and stories accessible to wider audiences. Without it, these oral traditions might be lost forever.

40 words:

Tribal literature is mostly oral and in native languages. Translating it into widely known languages like English helps preserve and share it. Though some essence is lost in translation, it's better than losing the literature entirely due to language barriers.

60 words:

Translation is essential for saving tribal literature. These stories are in languages unfamiliar to most people. By translating them, we can preserve their content, spirit, and meaning for future generations. Though translation may lose some flavour, it helps researchers, students, and readers understand tribal life. Without translation, the oral wisdom of tribal communities would remain hidden and at risk of extinction.

80 words:

Most tribal songs and stories are passed orally in languages unknown to the mainstream. Without translation, they remain locked within their communities, often disappearing with the elders who remember them. Translating them into widely spoken languages like English helps spread awareness and preserves their cultural and literary value. G.N. Devy acknowledges that translation may cause some loss of flavour, but it’s crucial for survival. It allows tribal voices to be heard, studied, and respected across cultures and generations.

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✅ 18. How does tribal literature reflect emotional truth?

20 words:

Tribal stories connect deeply with emotions. They express joy, fear, pain, and love, making them emotionally powerful and meaningful.

40 words:

Tribal literature is less about facts and more about feelings. It shows emotional truths through songs, chants, and stories. Whether it’s birth, death, healing, or festivals, emotions guide the narrative, making the literature spiritually and emotionally authentic.

60 words:

Tribal literature captures emotional truth by expressing feelings of joy, sorrow, fear, and love in symbolic and spiritual ways. These stories don’t follow logic or sequence, but reflect how people actually feel in real life. Whether it’s a daughter’s birth or healing rituals, every song and chant is filled with heartfelt meaning. G.N. Devy highlights this emotional depth as central to tribal literature’s charm and strength.

80 words:

Unlike modern texts that often focus on plot or structure, tribal literature centers on emotional experience. A tribal story or song expresses what people truly feel—joy, grief, fear, or hope. This emotional truth makes the literature powerful and relatable. Their dreamlike imagination, symbolic language, and spiritual tone all arise from lived feelings, not artificial rules. G.N. Devy explains that this is why tribal art is so moving—it touches the heart and shows how people emotionally interact with life, nature, and community.

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✅ 19. How do tribal arts balance tradition and creativity?

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Tribal arts follow tradition but allow playful changes. Artists respect the past while adding their personal touch and emotion.

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Tribal art is rooted in old customs but not rigid. Artists slightly modify stories, add humor, or change symbols. These playful updates keep the art fresh while still respecting tradition. This balance keeps the culture alive and evolving.

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Tribal artists follow set customs, songs, and rituals, but they’re not stuck in the past. They creatively retell stories, add new elements, or use modern symbols alongside traditional ones. This blend of innovation and respect for the past makes their art dynamic and alive. G.N. Devy shows that tribal creativity lies in small, meaningful changes that keep the tradition relevant and enjoyable.

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Tribal arts balance tradition and creativity beautifully. Each performance is based on earlier ones, but artists subtly modify or adapt the content. They might add humor, change the tone, or introduce new images. These changes are never disrespectful—they’re playful and rooted in emotion. G.N. Devy explains that such creativity keeps the tradition alive without breaking its essence. This balance allows each generation to relate to the art, making tribal culture flexible, rich, and continuously evolving without losing its deep roots.

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✅ 20. What lessons can modern society learn from tribal communities?

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Modern society can learn harmony, respect for nature, emotional expression, and sustainable living from tribal communities and their values.

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Tribal life teaches us to respect nature, value community over materialism, and live emotionally connected lives. Their rituals, arts, and stories show balance and harmony. In a fast, digital world, tribal wisdom can guide us toward peace and sustainability.

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Tribal communities live in tune with nature, value emotional bonds, and use memory instead of machines to preserve knowledge. Their rituals foster unity, their songs heal, and their stories teach life lessons. Modern societies, facing stress and pollution, can learn to slow down, reconnect with nature, and value tradition and community. G.N. Devy believes tribal wisdom can help fix what modern life has broken.

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Modern society, driven by speed and greed, can learn many things from tribal communities. Their respect for nature, emotional wisdom, and spiritual view of life offer lessons in sustainability and peace. Tribals live simply but meaningfully. They value people over possessions, tradition over trend, and rituals over routine. Their arts, stories, and songs promote unity, healing, and joy. G.N. Devy shows that tribal values—if recognized and embraced—can help modern societies restore balance, reduce stress, and find meaning beyond material success.