Workshop Overview
In recent decades, tribal studies has emerged as a critically engaged and theoretically informed field of inquiry, with contemporary scholarship recognising tribal identities, cultures, and lifeways as dynamic, historically situated, and socially produced. Within this evolving intellectual landscape, the Gujjar and Bakerwal communities of Jammu and Kashmir occupy a significant yet underexplored position.
Despite constituting the largest tribal groups and the third largest ethnic group in the region, their lived realities have long been examined through limited and fragmented perspectives, primarily emphasising mobility, pastoralism, and welfare interventions. More recent scholarship, however, has begun to explore previously overlooked dimensions, including the processes through which their tribal identities are shaped, sustained, and transformed over time.
IIT Jammu's Commitment
IIT Jammu, one of India's premier Institutes of National Importance, is committed to academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and socially responsive innovation. Indian Institute of Technology Jammu places a strong emphasis on research that addresses regional and national priorities.
Within this vision, IIT Jammu is deeply committed to advancing research on tribal communities, with a focus on inclusion, evidence-based policy, and social impact. Through interdisciplinary work across the humanities, social sciences, technology, and behavioural research, the Institute actively documents tribal knowledge systems, evaluates the reach of government schemes, and engages with issues of education, livelihoods, and cultural preservation.
Guest Speakers
Distinguished Academic Contributors
The workshop brings together leading scholars and literary figures whose work spans Urdu and Gojri literature, cultural studies, eco-philosophy, and indigenous epistemologies. These speakers represent diverse disciplinary approaches to understanding tribal communities, oral traditions, and cultural documentation.
Our Esteemed Speakers
Dr. Nasib Ali Choudhary
Assistant Professor, Centre of Indian Languages, JNU
Dr. Nasib Ali Choudhary, an Assistant Professor at the Centre of Indian Languages, JNU, is a distinguished scholar in Urdu literature and cultural studies. His research focuses on the intricate narratives of indigenous communities in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the Gujjar and Bakerwal. Dr. Choudhary’s work provides a critical lens on issues of identity, language, and cultural preservation, making him a vital voice in contemporary academia.
Dr. Tanu Gupta
Assistant Professor of English, University of Ladakh
Dr. Tanu Gupta, an Assistant Professor of English at the University of Ladakh, specializes in eco-critical approaches to literature and indigenous epistemologies. Her interdisciplinary research explores the intersection of environmental justice, traditional knowledge systems, and tribal cultures. Dr. Gupta is renowned for her insights into the ecological wisdom embedded within the oral traditions of Himalayan communities, offering fresh perspectives on sustainable living and cultural resilience.
Muhammad Hussain Naseem
Poet and Writer
Muhammad Hussain Naseem is an acclaimed Independent Scholar, writer and Poet from the Gujjar community, known for his profound contributions to indigenous literature and cultural advocacy. His poetic works and scholarly articles illuminate the socio-cultural fabric, historical experiences, and contemporary challenges faced by the Gujjar and Bakerwal people. Naseem’s authentic voice and deep understanding of his community's heritage make him an invaluable contributor to dialogues on cultural authenticity and representation.