About Tunthungkamu
A transformative, multidisciplinary 6 days workshop & festival designed to provide an immersive exploration of the Toto people and their vibrant cultural heritage. This initiative offers a unique platform to come together to delve into the intricacies of Toto life and contribute to their existing initiatives around preserving their cultural identity.
Organized in collaboration between Chittaranjan Toto Memorial Education Centre of Totopara, Community, Muhaan, Pipilitara Foundation, the program is designed with an approach to bring together students, practitioners, experts across country, and local community members to:
- Delve into the vibrant culture, traditions, wisdom and environment of the Totos
- Exchange ideas, knowledge, and collaboration to understand ways of preserving and sustaining the Toto way of life,
-As an outcome, create a holistic narrative blending academic insights with real-life experiences & generate essential funding for the educational well-being of children and community
About Totos
The Toto tribe, an indigenous Mongoloid community exclusively located in Totopara, represents one of India's most endangered tribes due to its small population. Notable for their distinct culture and traditions, the Toto community possesses a unique language called Denka, which is categorized as an endangered language. Their way of life is deeply
intertwined with nature, featuring sustainable agricultural practices and a profound connection to the local ecosystem. The Toto people adhere to animistic religious beliefs, offering prayers to the natural deities inhabiting the hills and streams of their homeland.
Fact - The Toto script was developed by community elder Padamshri Dhaniram Toto only in 2015. A proposal for encoding this script was accepted by the Unicode Technical Committee in 2019 and was added to the Unicode Standard with the release of version 14.0 in September 2021.
About Totopara
Totopara is a remote village in the fringes of Jaldapara National Park in Alipurdauar district,West Bengal at the Indo- Bhutan Border. It is bounded by the foothills of Bhutan to the north, Torsa River to the east, and Hauri river and the Titi reserve forest on the southwest separated by the Hauri River. The village is unique as it is the last remaining village of the Toto tribes. It is believed that only 1,763 Toto members are left in the world and most of them live in Totopara village. There are other communities like nepalis, biharis and bengalis who have settled down in Totopara primarily for business.
About Chittranjan Toto Memorial Education Centre
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Chittaranjan Toto Memorial Education Centre was established in the year 2014 to cater to the problem of the lack of a proper education center in Totopara and the only place to teach Toto language and culture. Till then the school has constantly served the children of the village from all communities and with formal education has also tried to impart important life skills. Not just being an education center, the place has also become a center point for change and new ideas, with the immensely dedicated team constantly exploring new ideas to benefit their community. The workshop proceeds will support the school to build new classrooms and other needed infrastructure.
Components of the program
Cultural Immersion
Discover Toto culture through immersive experiences. Explore their unique language, sustainable practices, and deep connection to nature. Engage with Toto community members, including elders, craftspeople, village heads, and people from all walks of Toto society to gain profound insights into their way of life.
Oral Narratives
Direct learning from the knowledge keepers of the community’s cultural, ecological, and traditional wisdom. Engage in storytelling workshops to capture and document diverse perspectives through oral narratives and silent stories.
Dhaniram Toto
Padmashree Dhaniram Toto is like a local hero, who has dedicated his life to conserving the Toto culture. He received the prestigious award in recognition of his efforts to preserve his language. Dhaniram began his mission to evolve a script in 2005 and over the next 10 years, he noted down, erased, edited, refined, and polished the phonetic representations of sound and meaning of words.
Kalicharan Toto
Kalicharan Toto is one of the few remaining Toto shamans who has inducted this knowledge from his ancestors through his dreams. The Totos have a strong faith in animism and Kalicharan is critical and much-needed for rituals, traditional healing, etc.
Totos and Nature
Deep exploration of the local flora, fauna, and the impact of climate change on natural resources. Learning about the interdependence between the Toto community and the forest through immersive activities.
Community-based projects
To design and create a community-based project with the people of Totopara designed to address the common themes of the workshop and initiate a colloborative work between the community and particpants allowing better exchange and newer perspectives.
Cultural Celebration and Showcase
A 2 days vibrant tribute to Toto culture, featuring traditional music, dance, and craftsmanship. It provides a platform for the community to share their heritage, fostering cultural preservation and appreciation.
Zero-Waste Approach
The festival is designed as a complete zero-waste event, restricting the use of plastics. This initiative aims to raise public awareness about plastic waste and promote zero-waste principles, supporting more local alternatives.
How to register?
This program is open to individuals from a wide range of backgrounds who are passionate about cultural preservation, community engagement, and multidisciplinary learning. You are eligible to apply if you fall under one of the following categories:
Students & Research Scholars:
Those currently enrolled in educational institutions or involved in academic research related to fields such as anthropology, sociology, environmental studies, cultural heritage, or other relevant disciplines.
Working Professionals:
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Practitioners, educators, and experts from fields such as social work, education, environmental conservation, sustainable development, and cultural studies.
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Individuals working in the public, private, or non-profit sectors who have a deep interest in community development, indigenous cultures, or heritage preservation.
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Professionals from creative fields like art, filmmaking, design, and journalism who want to contribute to documenting and sharing the rich traditions of the Toto people.
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​ This program is also open to any person, regardless of their professional background, who has a deep interest in the topics of cultural preservation, indigenous communities, and sustainable development.
If you are someone who is passionate about learning from indigenous wisdom, contributing to initiatives that protect vulnerable cultures, or simply engaging with grassroots community work, this program welcomes your participation.
Registration Fees
The registration fee covers access to all workshops, festival activities, accommodations, and meals during the program. The fee structure is as follows:
Students/Research Scholars: INR 12,000/-
Working Professions: INR 14,000 /-
Where to Stay
During the program, participants will have the opportunity to stay in cozy and comfortable local homestays in Totopara. These homestays provide a unique and immersive experience, allowing participants to get closer to the Toto people, their way of life, and their rich culture. It's a chance to truly live the Toto experience and be a part of their world, fostering a sense of togetherness and cultural immersion that will stay with you long after the program ends.
How to Reach Totopara
1. By Air
The nearest airport to Totopara is Bagdogra Airport (IXB), located about 170 km away. Bagdogra is well-connected with major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, and Guwahati. From Bagdogra, you can hire a taxi or take a shared cab to Totopara.
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Distance from Bagdogra to Totopara: 170 km
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Travel Time: Approximately 5-6 hours by road
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Suggested Route: Bagdogra – Jalpaiguri – Madarihat – Totopara
2. By Train
The nearest railway station is Madarihat Railway Station, approximately 22 km from Totopara. The station is well-connected to major cities in North Bengal and nearby states. Alternatively, you can also reach Hasimara Railway Station, which is about 30 km away.
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Distance from Madarihat: 22 km
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Travel Time: About 1-1.5 hours by road from the station to Totopara
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Alternate Train Option: Hasimara Railway Station (30 km from Totopara)
3. By Road
Totopara can be reached by road from various nearby towns and cities.
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From Madarihat: The easiest access point is from Madarihat, a small town near Totopara. Shared jeeps, taxis, and buses are available from Madarihat to Totopara.
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From Hasimara: You can also take a taxi or shared vehicle from Hasimara to reach Totopara via Madarihat.
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From Alipurduar: Regular bus services and taxis are available from Alipurduar, another nearby town.
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Suggested Route: Alipurduar – Madarihat – Totopara
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Road Conditions: The road leading to Totopara is a mix of paved and unpaved paths. While scenic, it can be bumpy at times, so it is advised to use sturdy vehicles or 4WD options.
4. By Bus
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Regular bus services are available from nearby towns such as Alipurduar, Madarihat, and Hasimara. These buses connect to Totopara, albeit the frequency may vary.
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Bus Stops: Major bus services usually stop at Madarihat or Hasimara, from where you need to take a local taxi or jeep to Totopara.