Q. Give a brief overview of the growth of folklore studies in India.
The growth of folklore studies in India can be traced to a variety of historical, cultural, and academic factors that shaped the discipline over time. While folklore, in its broadest sense, refers to the oral traditions, myths, stories, rituals, and cultural practices of a particular community, folklore studies as an academic field emerged in India during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, influenced by both indigenous traditions and Western intellectual movements.
The roots of folklore studies in India can be linked to the colonial period, when European scholars began to recognize the importance of oral traditions as repositories of local knowledge and cultural expression. Early colonial scholars, such as William Jones, Sir George Abraham Grierson, and others, who were primarily concerned with the documentation and preservation of indigenous languages, unwittingly laid the groundwork for the later development of folklore studies in the country. They recognized the rich diversity of India's oral traditions, including myths, proverbs, folk tales, ballads, and religious rituals, and began to document them, albeit through a Eurocentric lens that often ignored the cultural and social contexts in which these traditions existed. This colonial interest in folklore and ethnography created a foundation for the later development of folklore studies in India. However, it was during the post-colonial period that folklore studies as an independent academic discipline began to gain momentum. One of the key figures in the institutionalization of folklore studies in India was the scholar and folklorist, A.K. Ramanujan. Ramanujan's works in the 1960s and 1970s, especially his collection of folk poetry and stories, helped to bring attention to the significance of folklore as a vital component of India's cultural heritage. His emphasis on the importance of oral traditions, as well as his insistence on the need to study folklore within its socio-cultural context, helped to shift the academic focus away from a purely textual approach to folklore studies toward a more nuanced understanding of the lived experiences and cultural practices of communities. Ramanujan’s efforts to bridge the gap between folk and classical traditions in India further enriched the field, showing how folklore, rather than being separate or inferior to high culture, was a dynamic part of the nation's literary and cultural fabric. The development of folklore studies in India was also facilitated by the establishment of institutions dedicated to the study of folklore. In 1958, the Department of Folklore was established at the University of Kerala, marking the first university-level department in India exclusively dedicated to the study of folklore. This department, along with similar departments in other universities such as Banaras Hindu University and the University of Madras, played a pivotal role in institutionalizing folklore studies, providing a platform for the academic exploration of folk traditions. The establishment of these departments also encouraged the development of new methodologies for studying folklore, moving beyond mere documentation to focus on analysis and interpretation. One of the major shifts in the growth of folklore studies in India came in the 1970s and 1980s with the rise of cultural studies and postcolonial theory. Scholars such as R.K. Gupta, S.K. Chatterjee, and others began to reframe folklore not only as a repository of cultural expression but also as a site of resistance to colonial domination and as a means of articulating local identity. They argued that folklore was central to the formation of a distinct Indian identity in the face of colonial rule and later, the homogenizing forces of modernization and globalization.This postcolonial approach to folklore studies emphasized the role of folklore in resisting external cultural forces and in preserving local knowledge and traditions. It also encouraged a greater appreciation of the diversity of Indian folklore, which spans multiple languages, regions, and religious traditions. The diversification of folklore studies in India can also be seen in the increasing interest in folk performance traditions, such as dance, music, theater, and festivals. As India’s society became more urbanized and industrialized, traditional folk performances faced the threat of extinction, and scholars took on the important task of documenting and preserving these performance traditions. The documentation of folk performances and their analysis within the cultural and historical contexts in which they arose further deepened the understanding of the function of folklore in society. Folk performances were seen not only as artistic expressions but also as means of communication, socialization, and the transmission of knowledge. The study of folklore in India also saw a gradual shift toward interdisciplinary approaches. Folklore began to be studied in conjunction with anthropology, sociology, history, and even psychology, leading to a more holistic understanding of folk traditions. This interdisciplinary approach allowed for a deeper exploration of how folklore interacted with other aspects of social life, such as politics, religion, gender, and economics. Scholars began to examine how folklore played a role in shaping and reflecting social norms and values, how it helped in the construction of identity, and how it provided a lens through which to understand the complexities of Indian society. One of the important aspects of contemporary folklore studies in India is its focus on regional and community-based traditions. India is home to a vast number of ethnic and linguistic groups, each with its own unique folklore. The study of regional and community-specific folklore has led to the recognition of the richness and diversity of Indian traditions, while also shedding light on the specific struggles and aspirations of marginalized communities. Folklore has become a means through which marginalized voices, including those of Dalits, women, and indigenous groups, can be heard and understood. The use of folklore in social and political movements, particularly in post-independence India, has further expanded its significance. Folklore has been used as a tool for social mobilization, particularly in the context of caste-based movements, tribal rights movements, and feminist movements, all of which have used folklore as a means of asserting their cultural identity and challenging dominant social structures. For example, the use of folk songs and folk narratives in the Indian independence struggle, as well as in subsequent social movements, has demonstrated how folklore can be a vehicle for political expression and social change. The increasing focus on digital technology and media in contemporary folklore studies has also transformed the way folklore is understood and disseminated. The internet and social media have opened new avenues for the sharing and performance of folk traditions, allowing for the digital preservation of oral traditions and the creation of virtual spaces for communities to engage with their cultural heritage. However, this digital engagement also raises questions about the commodification and commercialization of folklore, as traditional forms of cultural expression are increasingly being adapted for mass consumption and global audiences. As folklore studies continue to evolve in India, scholars are increasingly concerned with the future of folk traditions in the context of globalization and the rapid pace of technological change. The tension between preserving traditional folk practices and adapting them to modern forms of media and communication presents both challenges and opportunities for the field. The dynamic nature of folklore, which allows it to adapt and change over time, ensures that folklore studies will continue to be a vital and evolving discipline in India. In conclusion, the growth of folklore studies in India has been shaped by a variety of historical, cultural, and academic forces. From its early colonial origins to its postcolonial development and its contemporary focus on interdisciplinary approaches, folklore studies in India have evolved into a rich and diverse field that continues to offer valuable insights into the social, cultural, and political life of the country. The field has grown from a focus on documentation and preservation to a more nuanced exploration of folklore as a means of cultural expression, identity formation, and social change. As India continues to modernize and undergo significant social, economic, and cultural transformations, folklore studies will likely remain a crucial field for understanding the interplay between tradition and modernity, as well as the ongoing struggles for cultural preservation and representation.
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