Ganesh Devy is not just another literary scholar and cultural activist. The Chairman of the People’s Linguistic Survey of India, is now in Mumbai for an extensive talk on oral history and traditions, and holds Indian languages close to his heart. Devy left his academic position (till 1996, he taught English literature at the MS University of Baroda) to take up conservation of threatened languages in India. Among the several institutions he has founded, since then are the Bhasha Research & Publication Centre, Budhan Theatre and the Adivasi Academy.u00a0He has put to script (for the first time) 11 languages existing in oral traditions, published literature in 26 languages, helped educating 20,000 children from indigenous communities and has established economic empowerment activities in 2,200 villages in tribal districts of Gujarat. The Guide caught up with Devy on the eve of his talk. Excerpts from the interview:

Ancient scriptures being re-written at a workshop. representation Pics/AFP