MMF-PARI Fellowship 2023-24
We are delighted to share that the MMF-PARI Fellowship call this year received an overwhelming number of applications from across the country. This resulted in a lengthy review and jury process that included two rounds of shortlisting before a final round of interviews.
Taking into consideration the focus of the call this year and the high number and quality of applications, the jury has decided to present the fellowship under two categories –
The Full Fellowship & The 7-month Fellowship
The Full Fellowship
The fellows who have received the full fellowship will undertake the research and publication of 8 stories for the PARI online platform over a period of 12 months. The full fellowship has been awarded to -
Rajdeep Bhowmik, Suhash Bhattacharjee & Deep Roy | Tripura
Their project will explore and showcase the lesser-known yet marvellous art, crafts, and cultural traditions of the inhabitants of Tripura.
Stories Published:
The last handloom weaver of Gobindapur >>>
In Tripura: brewing langi, recalling home >>>
Tripura’s gudok: old recipe, new takes >>>
Living on stilts in North Tripura >>>
Ali Fraz Rezvi, Shivangi & Shehwaaz Khan | Bihar, Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh
Their project will focus on the crafts practised by Muslims or crafts catered to Muslims specifically in the states of Bihar, Bengal, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh.
Stories Published:
Patna’s kite makers: caught in a crosswind >>>
The skilled sipar-makers of Patna >>>
Sweating to make the sweet, flaky soul of Patna >>>
Sia kalam: etched in history >>>
Seeng ki kangi: the fine-tooth legacy of Sarai Tarin >>>
In Moradabad, it’s down to brass tacks >>>
The 7-Month Fellowship
The fellows who have got the 7-month fellowship will undertake the research and publication of 4 stories for the PARI online platform over a period of 7 months. This fellowship has been awarded to –
Ashwini Kumar Shukla | Jharkhand
Stories focused on distinct yet fading artistic traditions from across Jharkhand.
Stories Published:
'This is hard work; the money is not enough' >>>
In Jharkhand: Paitkar art is fading out >>>
‘Saraikela Chhau’s soul lies in its masks’ >>>
Godna art: stories in ink >>>
Forging music for the fields >>>
Weaving a life on the go in Palamu >>>
Mahibul Hoque | Assam
Develop stories that explore traditional forms arts and craft that have revived discourses of social and political justice among rural women in Assam.
Stories Published:
Darrang’s vanishing bamboo basket makers >>>
Assam’s gamusa weavers are in trouble >>>
Trapped by climate change in the Brahmaputra >>>
Poongodi Mathiarasu & Akshara M Sanal | Tamil Nadu
Document the art and culture of trans women folk artists of rural Tamil Nadu with specific attention to their livelihood and socio-economic status.
Stories Published:
‘People respect me because I'm a theatre artiste’ >>>
Selvi amma: Coimbatore’s biryani master >>>
Iswaraya takes centre stage >>>
Moalemba | Nagaland
Document the rich cultural heritage of Nagaland varying from tribe to tribe.
Stories Published:
In Nagaland: women weave through challenges >>>
Sanskriti Talwar & Naveen Macro | Punjab & Himachal Pradesh
Stories on crafts from across Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, with a focus on those practiced by Dalit communities.
Stories Published:
‘No one can craft a jutti like I do’ >>>
The dhurrie weavers of Ghanda Bana >>>
In Patiala, the thriving craft of phulkari >>>
‘There’s always someone asking for a charpai’ >>>
‘Big decisions are made over hookah’ >>>
‘I am unable to sell [chhaj] in this heat’ >>>
A kupp, a buffalo and kabaddi >>>
Shreya Kanoi | West Bengal
A documentation of the lesser-known ethnobotanical handicrafts and their makers from West Bengal.
Stories Published:
The Bihari bamboo basket maker >>>
The kamalkosh cane mat tells a story >>>
Where have all the palm leaves gone >>>