Sustaining Folk Literature: A Study

Authors: T.Sai Chandra Mouli (Self Employed)
Speakers: T.Sai Chandra Mouli
Strand: Language, Community, Ethnicity
Session Type: General Session

Abstract

Folk literature is integral to all languages. Verbal and nonverbal forms of folk literature are all pervasive. Verbal forms include proverbs, riddles, lullabies, tales, and ballads among others. Nonverbal form encompasses dances, games , toys and objects of ethnic designs and flavors. A community’s outlook is shaped by these forms. By and large folk literature in South Indian languages is performance oriented and music is an essential component of the same. Written form is accorded greater status than the oral presentation. Thus ‘high brow’ or classical literature enjoys greater status than ‘popular’ or ‘folk literature’.For thousands of years man communicated orally, not with the stylus or pen. With the advent of printing technology, explosion of electronic media and inconceivable impact of information technology, folk literature seems to be on the wane.  It survives on account of performances by people who live in rural areas and are generally not so well educated.It is sustained by every speech community in the world, despite inroads made by technology.Now the same technology should be employed to further the study of Folk Literature and preserve it in Asian countries as elsewhere. Translation of folk literature into a global language like English helps in preserving and offering it greater reach. Making use of online tools in transmission and sharing data is the need of the hour. This presentation seeks  to focus attention on efforts made in this direction in South India.

References:

Achutta Menon,C.(1956) Ballads of North Malabar.Madras.3 vols.
Charles E Gover.(1871). Folk Songs of Southern India.Delhi:Rupa[2002] New edition.
Chenna Reddy,P and Sarat Babu,M.(2004).Folklore in the New Millenium.[ Festchrift to B. Rama Raju.]New Delhi: Research Press India.
Elwn,V and Shamrao Hivale(1935). Songs of the Forest: the folk poetry of the Gonds.. London: G. Allen & Unwin.
Kurup,K.K.N.(1973).The Cult of Theyyam and Hero worship in Kerala.Calcutta.
Nagabhushana Sharma,M.(1995) Folk Performing Arts of Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad: Telugu University.
Narayana Row.B.V.L(1991). “ Daughter-in-law Dear” and  “ Kamakshi married into a wealthy family.” Women’s Writing in India Vol.1.[ed]Susie Tharu and K.Lalitha.Delhi:O.U.P.
Ramanujan, A.K..(1992). Folk Tales from India.New York: Pantheon Books.

Keywords: Culture, Performance, Folk literature, Oral tradition, Technology, Translation, Preservation