There is a moment in Episode 4 of SAGA that is difficult to forget. Litty Chacko, a Malayalam teacher who spent decades studying the life of a 14th-century mathematician, is sitting in an autorickshaw on the way back from an antique dealer in Kerala. She reads through some crumbling palm
events
Oppam Vaayo by ARPO is a cultural festival that celebrates the stories of women that history often forgets, told through Kerala's folk traditions, classical performances, and heritage workshops.
documentation
Each episode of SAGA series, hosted by Manu S Pillai is designed to be accessible, reflective, and rooted in real conversations with people who carry history forward in different ways.
ARPO celebrates Kozhikode Vaayo by redefining the museum spaces in Kozhikode, encouraging cultural experiences and dialogues through people's participation and government-private sector collaboration
earthlore
Witness a powerful, visceral performance of rituals, resilience, and deep connection to nature, where tradition explodes onto the modern stage.
festival
ARPO has launched Vaayo, a series of cultural events that celebrate and engage with Kerala's diverse, often overlooked traditions through immersive experiences.
collaboration
The projects ARPO Earthlore and ARPO LoreKeepers are crucial for the age of AI. They create the ethical blueprint by demanding consent and fighting bias, ensuring future heritage AI is built on fairness.
ARPO has digitally archived over 1700 lores — comprising folk songs and tales from diverse regions and communities, securing these traditions for future generations.
The walk was attended by IndiGo's Chief Executive Officer, Pieter Elbers and Rohini Bhatia, Chairperson, InterGlobe Foundation, among others.
ARPO is proud to announce a significant partnership with the Samāgata Foundation in support of the Earthlore Documentation Project. This crucial collaboration reflects a shared commitment to preserving the rich—yet often at-risk—cultural traditions of India’s tribal communities. The Earthlore Documentation Project is a year-long initiative that deploys
The development marks a significant moment in ARPO's journey. One of the most prestigious funders in India, Tata Trusts' decision to support us, within three years of the start of our work, gives us immense confidence in our journey forward.
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Get ready, Kerala! This Kerala Piravi, Friday, November 1, 2025, the Archival and Research Project (ARPO) is launching something truly special: the first-ever Vaayo Fest! Hosted at Local Sustainable Living, Maradu, Kochi, this day-long cultural immersion is a direct and powerful appeal to engage with Kerala's diverse, resilient,
Support the production of a musical performance by Earthlore Fellows that will showcase the collective talent and the rich indigenous music they represent.
Mannan community leaders explore Kochi’s premium heritage and sustainable tourism models, drawing insights for tribal culture-based premium tourism
As part of the ARPO Earthlore Project, we facilitated the participation of two Mannan community members in a workshop organised by the Keystone Foundation, helping them come up with ideas, address many questions, and develop a drive to do their part in conserving the Mannan language.
We have some incredibly exciting news to share at ARPO! Our "Earthlore Documentaries" series, a project dedicated to showcasing the rich cultural heritage and unique traditions of indigenous communities, has achieved a significant milestone. Two of our documentaries focusing on the Mannan tribe have been officially included in
In this series, meet the artists of Vellayankanni Paliya Parambaragatha Nritham, a team preserving tradition through every rhythm and verse. From marriage songs to harvest rituals, each episode offers an intimate look into the cultural and ecological knowledge encoded in these art forms.
Since initiating our collaboration with the Mannan and Paliyar tribal communities of Thekkady, Idukki, we have produced a compelling series of documentaries on the cultural heritage of these two communities. These films are a key component of our ongoing Earthlore Documentation Project, supported by the Samāgata Foundation. Here are the
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The first two months of the Earthlore Fellowship, supported by the Tata Trusts, saw remarkable progress in team cohesion, confidence, and musical development among the fellows.
At ARPO, collaboration and co-creation guide our work. As part of the research process under the Earthlore documentation project with the Mannan tribal community, we facilitated a rare participatory dialogue.
Following the immense success of the Karnikara Mandapam project, which received a UNESCO Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2023, ARPO was delighted to facilitate the restoration of the Kariathan Meenupara Temple. Commissioned and fully funded by Mr Vivek Sahni, Chairman, Kama Ayurveda, it’s executed by Ezha conservation architects
ARPO has digitally archived over 1700 lores — comprising folk songs and tales from diverse regions and communities, securing these traditions for future generations.