Adilabad: Kolams is an especially vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) that is scattered among small deep forest villages in the Adilabad region, which is unlikely to be multi-think. Community elders say most Kolams can switch effortlessly in four to five languages ​​- Telugu, Hindi, Marathi, Gundi, Lambadan dialects Mathura Labana and Gorboli, as well as their own tongue Kolami. English words and numbers also make their speech lie.
Kumra Gantu Bai, a community leader in Dahiguda village, said language flexibility stems from daily interactions with non-tribal farmers, businessmen and government officials. “We speak Telugu or Hindi when we are in ration stores, fields or when applying for welfare plans. At first it was broken, but practice made us fluent.”
Kolam livelihoods revolve around bamboo boats and survival farming along the Pengga River bordering Maharashtra. Their bamboo mats, baskets and hand-painted artifacts earn moderate income in the local market. Meanwhile, children learn traditional skills such as climbing trees, swimming in forest streams and harvesting honey.
Another Dahiguda resident, Madavi Laxman, recalls the language mix that their multilingual life might have caused. He smiled and said, “In kolami’Athey’ means dog, but the same word in Hindi sounds like ‘they’ is here.
Author and researcher Atram Motiram said the community’s language-using facilities are its key survival tool. “Without it, Colums would have difficulty trading bamboo goods or getting government services. The gap between multilingual bridges.”
Regional tribal welfare officials acknowledge Kolams’ adaptability but stress the need for targeted education and market support to ensure its fragile livelihoods.
