We have been working in Koraput district of Odisha to strengthen and showcase its rich Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) through community-led documentation and experiential engagement. Supported by the Axis Bank Foundation, this initiative focuses on safeguarding indigenous knowledge systems while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities rooted in living traditions. The project positions heritage not as a static relic, but as a dynamic cultural practice shaped by everyday life, creativity, and collective memory.

Koraput is home to diverse tribal communities whose cultural expressions are deeply interwoven with the region’s forested landscapes, hills, and agrarian rhythms. Traditional crafts, distinctive textile practices, and vibrant forms of tribal song and dance continue to thrive as integral aspects of social life – marking agricultural cycles, festivals, rituals, and community gatherings. These art forms carry layered narratives of identity, ecology, resistance, and belonging, sustained through oral transmission and embodied practice across generations.

To enhance the visibility and accessibility of these living traditions, we have launched www.koraputlivingheritage.com, a dedicated digital platform that documents and celebrates Koraput’s crafts, tribal music, and dance forms. The website serves as a cultural repository and storytelling space, foregrounding the voices of artisans and performers while offering audiences an immersive understanding of the region’s cultural landscapes.

By creating a digital bridge between communities and wider audiences, the Koraput Living Heritage platform reinforces the role of ICH in cultural continuity, dignified livelihoods, and sustainable development—ensuring that Koraput’s living heritage remains visible, valued, and vibrant in contemporary times.