From Silence to Symphony: Reviving Indigenous Music through Circular Cultural Enterprises

Abstract

This paper explores the urgent need to revive Indigenous musical traditions across India, with a focused lens on the tribal communities of Jharkhand. It argues that tribal music, as a living cultural heritage, goes beyond artistic expression—it is deeply interwoven with community identity, well- being, collective memory, and social resilience. It serves as a vital conduit for intergenerational knowledge transfer, allowing stories, values, and ancestral wisdom to be passed down through sound. The article presents a multi-stakeholder framework for a circular Indigenous enterprise model combining documentation, academic integration, capacity building, market development, and financial sustainability. Through the case study of Wings of Chotanagpur, a youth-led cultural collective in Ranchi, the paper illustrates how grassroots efforts can serve as catalytic platforms for musical preservation, intergenerational learning, and socio-economic empowerment. Ultimately, the revival of tribal musical instruments and forms is framed as a pathway to reclaim narrative agency, foster cultural pride, and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future.