The InVisible

A Journey Towards Asserting Identities and Celebrating Diversities

Irulars are a tribal community who dwell in the South of India, mainly in Kanchipuram, Nilgiris and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu. Ethnically they belong to the Negroid race. Their language, Irula, is a mix of Tamil and Kannada. The name Irular means ‘people of darkness’ in Tamil.

Their main occupations were snake and rat catching besides trading in snake skin and forest product such as in honey, beeswax and forest wood. The Irula economy began to decline after the laws to prevent snake skin trade and preserve forest regions were enacted.

Their story is one of struggle against the invasion of modern civilisation and a reinvention of their own way of life.

Family Bonding- The village elder takes care of the babies and pass on their indigenous knowledge on herbs and their rich culture of conservation.
Family Bonding- The village elder takes care of the babies and pass on their indigenous knowledge on herbs and their rich culture of conservation.
Earlier rice was consumed only during festivals. Now due to the lack of cultivation, rice has become their staple food. Beef is not consumed by Irular. But meats of chicken, goat, pig and fish are favourites. They cook once a day for supper.
Earlier rice was consumed only during festivals. Now due to the lack of cultivation, rice has become their staple food. Beef is not consumed by Irular. But meats of chicken, goat, pig and fish are favourites. They cook once a day for supper.
Animals form a huge part of the native culture…
Animals form a huge part of the native culture…
The Tsunami Colony….Tamilnadu Government built concrete houses for some 50 families after the 2004 Tsunami Havoc.
The Tsunami Colony….Tamilnadu Government built concrete houses for some 50 families after the 2004 Tsunami Havoc.
Irulars in the village located near Kalpakkam use Palm leaves to build their roofs….
Irulars in the village located near Kalpakkam use Palm leaves to build their roofs….
Living in caves, they used to hunt and procure forest resources. Subsequently they began to live in huts made of bamboo and slowly learnt the art of cultivation. Irulars had to look on helplessly when licensed contractors were going on a deforestation spree. Due to scarcity of bamboos, they began to build huts with palm leaves, soil and stones.
Living in caves, they used to hunt and procure forest resources. Subsequently they began to live in huts made of bamboo and slowly learnt the art of cultivation. Irulars had to look on helplessly when licensed contractors were going on a deforestation spree. Due to scarcity of bamboos, they began to build huts with palm leaves, soil and stones.
The concrete structure between the thatched huts is a toilet built under Swatch Bharat Abiyaan.
The concrete structure between the thatched huts is a toilet built under Swatch Bharat Abiyaan.
State of a toilet in the Irular Colony
State of a toilet in the Irular Colony
Women collect and carry water from natural springs. This water is used for drinking.
Women collect and carry water from natural springs. This water is used for drinking.
Children are allowed to gather water. Many children drop out from schools in order to fetch water for the household.
Children are allowed to gather water. Many children drop out from schools in order to fetch water for the household.
Women form a integral part of the family. She is the backbone of the family and helps her husband in his backwater fishing.
Women form a integral part of the family. She is the backbone of the family and helps her husband in his backwater fishing.
A young boy collecting mussels in the backwaters located in Kalpakkam
A young boy collecting mussels in the backwaters located in Kalpakkam
When natives made inroads to their settlements, Irular shifted their forest bases from one to another and finally ended up with seasonal fishing. Wild resources like mussels, sea shells, sea urchins and corals are also collected.
When natives made inroads to their settlements, Irular shifted their forest bases from one to another and finally ended up with seasonal fishing. Wild resources like mussels, sea shells, sea urchins and corals are also collected.
Irulars are a non-traditional tribal fishing community living in the Kalpakkam region and depending on the mangroves for their sustenance. Groping for shrimps, fishing by using craft and gears, mussel and clam collection and polychaete fishing are some of the methods adopted for fishing by the Irulars. In this backdrop, the health-risks involved in fishing practices adopted by Irulars warrants serious research
Irulars are a non-traditional tribal fishing community living in the Kalpakkam region and depending on the mangroves for their sustenance. Groping for shrimps, fishing by using craft and gears, mussel and clam collection and polychaete fishing are some of the methods adopted for fishing by the Irulars. In this backdrop, the health-risks involved in fishing practices adopted by Irulars warrants serious research
Poverty is very much evident in every household of Irulars. Children choose to search mussels instead of schooling.
Poverty is very much evident in every household of Irulars. Children choose to search mussels instead of schooling.
Usually the eldest girl in the family is thrusted with her younger siblings. Children never been to school are a common category found in this Irular Colony.
Usually the eldest girl in the family is thrusted with her younger siblings. Children never been to school are a common category found in this Irular Colony.
Folk songs, dances, skits and drama talked about the community’s grievances besides spreading social messages such as the need to avoid alcohol and tobacco.
Folk songs, dances, skits and drama talked about the community’s grievances besides spreading social messages such as the need to avoid alcohol and tobacco.
There are many Irular customs and observances involved from the birth to death of a person. It is believed that the maternal uncle who bears the pain of the whip of his sisters son increases the age of his sister.
There are many Irular customs and observances involved from the birth to death of a person. It is believed that the maternal uncle who bears the pain of the whip of his sisters son increases the age of his sister.
Goddess Kanniyamman and Maasi Magam- Basically Irulars are Hindus, but the elements of their traditional religion are still visible in their lives. This festival welcomes back Kanniyamman, their goddess of nature, into their lives. Legend has it that the goddess abandoned them because of their sinful and reckless way of living. This festival is a way of appeasing her anger and recovering her blessing.
Goddess Kanniyamman and Maasi Magam- Basically Irulars are Hindus, but the elements of their traditional religion are still visible in their lives. This festival welcomes back Kanniyamman, their goddess of nature, into their lives. Legend has it that the goddess abandoned them because of their sinful and reckless way of living. This festival is a way of appeasing her anger and recovering her blessing.

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