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Folklore studies- 12-Nov-2009
In India, the rich heritage for countryside folklore is slowly decreasing. A National folklore support center operates in Chennai, with the intention of preserving the legacy of our folklore.
Malarvizhi, the centre programme officer, spoke to 'Dinamalar', Kalvimalar about folklore education and the future of students.
Folklore and the study about various cultural backgrounds are the key activities of the center. Here, research activities and trainings are also carried out. On behalf of the center, research activities are carried out in places like Kanchipuram and Villupuram in Tamil Nadu, and in the states of Kerala and MP. We collect details about a society and the various arts form of a society. Research activities are carried out on transgender, art of woman here at the centre.
Folklore can never be considered from a particular era. A folk art can be new or old. Today, public do not have awareness about folklore. Therukuthu, is performed in only few places. People are not aware of the art form that is still alive.
In some of the places at Kerala, Folk Arts are performed as a part of the festivals. One of the performers in the Leather Puppet Show in Kerala told us that in some places they get crowd and many times they have no audience. Some make puppets, dolls and sell them.
Persons willing to take up studies in this field, come with an intention to protect the art form that is about to be extinct. They show great interest in research. Some, after completing studies join and work with an artist. Non Governmental Organization also employs them. The enormous interest that they posses is worth appreciating.
Several students go to foreign countries for research work. Many get the opportunity to carry out research activities on Indian culture in foreign countries. Few students come to India to carry out research activities. A research activists from Germany, has released book in Tamil and English on about Ezaikkiamman, talked about in and around Muppanthal, near Kanyakumari district.
The facilities and opportunities available in America towards this particular study are much better than that is available for PG studies here in India. In India, the higher studies syllabus and library needs to be upgraded.
UNESCO has also involved itself in protecting the traditional art. They give global importance to the agricultural practices and medicinal practices of a particular society. Slowly, the knowledge about rural art and tradition is changing.
As the knowledge about Folklore has started to change, news about the characters of 'Second Life' website has started to appear now!
In this field, students can do their M.Phil and PhDs research activities in the universities found in Thanjavur, Madurai and Chennai in Tamil Nadu. MA in Folklore can be done in St Xaviers College, Palyamkottai and Kallikottai University in Kerala, told Malarvizhi.
More details regarding the centre can be obtained in www.indianfolklore.org
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