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AR-015CENDIT Papers AR-015Archives at NCBS

National Centre for Biological Sciences - Tata Institute of Fundamental ResearchBangalore, Karnataka 560065Business Number: +9180 6717 6010Business Number: +9180 6717 6011archives@ncbs.res.inURL:

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-04-15 12:22:35 +0000.Description is written in: English, Latin script. Archives at NCBS CENDIT Papers Advanced Media Production. AMP AR-015 /repositories/2/resources/103 3 Linear Feet 1972-1998 Archives at AMP, New Delhi English Hindi Content Description

Archival material related to the work of the Centre for Development of Instructional Technology (CENDIT), an experimental AV media organisation based in New Delhi. The collection includes printed items such as training manuals, brochures, newsletters, audio-visual education guides, symposium proceedings, internal journals (Nigah, Clips), and technical booklets on low-cost printing and video production. Dated between 1974 and 1998, these materials document CENDIT's engagement with community media, development communication, video advocacy, and alternative education. Also part of the collection are 98 black-and-white photographic contact sheets from 1972 to 1980 depicting video training sessions, documentation work, field activities, group workshops, equipment repair and demonstrations, and public screenings. These images reflect the collaborative working practices, technical innovations and field conditions typical of CENDIT's work with media technology in India.

Biographical / Historical

CENDIT was founded in 1972 in New Delhi as a research and production collective focused on instructional technology and development communication. It engaged with issues such as rural education, family welfare, women's literacy, and participatory video. It was among the earliest groups in India to use portable video as a tool for development, working in both hardware and content. Through its publications and training programmes, CENDIT worked with grassroots organisations, educators, filmmakers, and health workers to experiment with alternative media strategies outside state-controlled or commercial frameworks. It was closed down in 2006.

Conditions Governing Access

Work in progress. When processed, collection will be open for access unless mentioned in specific folders.

Conditions Governing Use

Work in progress. Not available for use. Copyright may not have been assigned to Archives, National Centre for Biological Sciences. The Archives at NCBS makes no representation that it is the copyright owner in all of its collections. The user must obtain all necessary rights and clearances before use of material. For details, see https://archives.ncbs.res.in/access

Preferred Citation

When quoting from this material, kindly use the following format: AR-015, CENDIT Papers and Photographs, Archives at NCBS

Arrangement

The collection is divided into two series: Series 1: Publications and Manuals (1974–1998) Sub-series 1: Journals and Newsletters Nigah Journal 1, 2 and 3, Apr 1974 - Jul 1975. Clips Number 0 - Alternative Video and Television ; Clips Number 2 - Cultural Identity, 1992 Clips Number 3 - Advocacy Video; Clips Number 4 - Invitations, 1993 Clips Number 5 - New Technologies and the Democratisation of Audiovisual Communication, 1994 Clips Number 8 - Organizing for Democratic Media ; Clips Number 9 - Fighting for the Right to Communicate, 1995 Clips Number 10 - Designing a Legal Framework ; Clips Number 11 - Special , 1996 Communication Resources Network Newsletter - Issues 1 to 5, 1996 Videoscape Newsletter 1 and 2, 1994

Sub-series 2: Guides, Handbooks and Catalogues A Guide to Audio Visual Resources for Adult Education, 1990 Seeing and Showing ourselves - A guide to using small format videotapes as a participatory tool for development, 1998 A Resource guide to Audiovisual Communication materials on Development issues, 1986 Low cost printing for development, 1, 2 and 3, 1982 Communication Resources Network, June 1996 Catalogue of Films on The Environment A select list of CENDIT films, January 1987 Jaag Sakhi, 1986 An Inventory of Audiovisual Communication Materials on Development Issues, October 1984

Sub-series 3: Reports and Proposals Project in Family Planning Communication Vol 1 and 2, 1974 Urban Community Media in India - A review, 1990 Women and Media in Development; Reports of South Asian Regional Workshops; 1986, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1993 Report of Phase I of the Project in Family Planning communication for rural young married couples, 1974 Reports from the Village, 1978 CENDIT Video Production workshop, July 1984 A report on the Training Programme on Communication and Development, Jan-June 1989 An Alternative system for Broadcasting in India, 1977 CENDIT Video Workshop Reports, 1984 and 1992 Schedules of CENDIT workshops, 1985 20 Training Programme Report, 1991

Sub-series 4: Brochures 72 - 78 In Retrospect - CENDIT, 1978. The First 16 years (1972 - 1988), 1988. Catalysts of Change, 1988 CENDIT Centre For Development of Instructional Technology, mid 1970s Nuevas tecnologi`as y democratizacio`n de la communicaci`on audiovisual (in Spanish)

Series 2 : Contact Sheets (1970 - mid1980s) 98 Contact sheets showing Events, Workshops and Community Projects

Processing Information

Processed as part of NCBS PAST 2025-26. Grantee Name: Advanced Media Production, Grant Title: History of Media Technology from a Jungle of Meaning. For details, see https://archives.ncbs.res.in/past

Technology Development Communications Audio-visual equipment industry Training Working practice Maintenance and repair Series 1: Publications and ManualsAR-015-1/repositories/2/archival_objects/28403Sub-Series 1: Journals and NewslettersAR-015-1-1/repositories/2/archival_objects/28404Nigah Journal 1, 2 and 3AR-015-0001/repositories/2/archival_objects/28405197 Sheets21.5 x 28 cm; Nigah 3 (18.5 x 24.5 cm)April and July 1975PAST cupboard 01Archival Box 1Conditions Governing Access

Access Level 2: Available upon request. See https://archives.ncbs.res.in/access

Clips: Alternative Video and Television; Cultural IdentityAR-015-0002/repositories/2/archival_objects/2840628 Sheets21.5 x 28 cmMay and October 1992PAST cupboard 01Archival Box 1

Clips: Alternative Video and Television; Cultural Identity

Conditions Governing Access