Curriculum Vitae
Dr.Peter Arockiaraj.M Department of Folklore St.Xavier’s College, Autonomous Palayamkottai – 627 002.
Personal Details
Name : DR.PETER AROCKIARAJ.M.
Father’s Name : MICHAEL M.
Sex : Male
Nationality : Indian
Date of Birth : 15.05.1970
Permanent Address : 58, State Bank Colony Ezhil Nagar Tirunelveli District - 627 007 Tamilnadu.
Mobile: + 91 9443178459 Email: [email protected]
Educational Qualification
Exam Year of Subjects Offered Name of the Board / Percentage Class Passed Passing University of Marks Ph.D. 2015 Audio visual Manonmaniam (Folklore) archiving of Sundaranar University, Folklore: Issues Tirunelveli and Prospects M.A. 2011 Journalism and Manonmaniam second Journalism Mass Sundaranar University, and Mass Communication Tirunelveli Commn Lectureship 1998 Folk Literature University Grants (NET) Commission, New Delhi D.G.T 1998 Gandhi an Manonmaniam 50 Second Thoughts Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli M.A. 1997 Folkloristics St. Xavier’s College 68 First (Folklore) Palayamkottai
P.G.D.C.A 1992 Computer St. Xavier’s College 70 First Applications Palayamkottai B.Sc. 1990 Physics, St. Xavier’s College 70 First (Physics) Chemistry, Palayamkottai Mathematics H.S.C 1987 Maths, Physics, St. Xavier’s Hr. Sec. 70 First Chemistry, School Palayamkottai Biology S.S.L.C 1985 St. Xavier’s Hr. Sec. 72 First School Palayamkottai
Work Experience:
Has been working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Folklore, St.Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai since June 2012.
Worked as Trainee Archivist from July 1997 to June 1999 and Chief Archivist /Research Coordinator in Folklore Resources and Research Centre, St.Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai from July, 1999 to May 2012.
Teaching Experience in St.Xavier’s College since 1997 (M.A.Folklore students and U.G students and students of other colleges for Diploma programme in Folklorstics)
Coach for St.Xavier’s College cricket team from the year 1992 to 1998.
Published number of photographs in various popular magazines and designed wrappers for number of text books.
Produced Video Documentaries and Audio cassettes on different aspects in Folk Performances and culture.
Membership in Professional societies:
Member of Board of Studies, Dept.of Folklore, St.Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai for six years since 2001.
Vice President, Tamil Folklore Society (Rgtd)
Member, Governing Body, Folklore Resources and Research Centre, St.Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai.
Life Member, Folklore Society of South Indian Languages (FOSSILS)
Awards
“Kalai Kavalar Award” by Catholic Christian Art and Literary Society in 2010.
Visiting Fellow in the SAP – DRS Project -2019 in Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University), Gandhigram, Dindigul
Project with IGNCA, New Delhi
Coordinated a sixteen-member team of Folk artistes to perform in a mega Mela “Akhyan”, a celebration of Masks, Puppets and Picture showmen of India, in Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi during 20 and 29 October 2010.
Completed a Photo Documentation of the Cultural Heritage of Mahabalipuram in 2010 from Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi.
Coordinated a sixty member team of Folk artistes to enact the rituals in Draupati Cult and Therukkoothu in a mega Mela “ Jeya Utsav”, a celebration of Living traditions of Mahabarath, in Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi during 10 and 24 February 2011
Completed a Major project on Paddy Growing Culture of Tamilnadu in 2014, from IGNCA, Ministry of Culture, New Delhi.
Documentary Film making:
1. Kayiru (coconut fibre rope production) – 18 minutes duration – FRRC
This was documented in the coastal belt of Kanyakumari District and the process of producing was done by the labours belonging to the backward community
2. Aappam (Traditional way of cooking) – 9 minutes – FRRC This film also was documented in the coastal village Uvari in Tirunelveli District. This production reveals how the ethnic folk food appam was prepared in a traditional way.
3. Riddling Session – 90 minutes – FRRC This documentary is about how the riddling session is activated and how it Integrate people of different ages. This was documented in an induced natural context in a small dalit village in north Tamilnadu.
4. Oral Narrations about Vinnarasi Church – 90 minutes – FRRC This documentary is a collection of interviews with people who witnessed the construction of the Vinnarasi Church in St.Xavier’s College in Tirunelveli District. This production reveals how the church incorporated various techniques in architecture.
5. “The architecture of the Church of Lady of Resurrection” -7 minutes - FRRC
6. Neerum Nellum (Paddy growing culture of Tamilnadu – 40 minutes – IGNCA, New Delhi Published Books:
* Chennai Sangamam: Vinaiyum Ethirvinaiyum, Naalaer Publications, Chennai. A short explanation of some Folk art performances which are actively involved in Chennai Sangamam was listed out in this book. The positive and negative approaches of people of various levels regarding the festival were documented through interviews.
* Thamizhaga Naattupuraviyal – varalaarum Poakhuhalum, FRRC publication, Tirunelveli. The History of the emergence of Folklore in Tamilnadu as well the current trend in Tamil Folklore was narrated by four eminent scholars in the field of Folklore. It is collection of four interviews.
* Vinnarasi Annai Aalayam, FRRC publication, Tirunelveli. This book explains the salient features in constructing the church and holds a rare collection of photographs of the Church in St.Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai.
* Photo Album of Paddy growing culture of Tamilnadu, for IGNCA, New Delhi.
Published Articles:
“Folklore Archives” in Thannanaanae magazine.
“The second Birth - Koothandavar Festival” in Kalagakararhalum Ethirkkathaiyadalhalum.
“Audiovisual Archiving - Scope and Methodology” in the Journal (refereed) South Indian Folklorist, Number - 6, 2003.
“A short note on recent changes in a few folkcrafts of Tamilnadu” in the Journal (refereed) south Indian Folklorist, Number - 7, 2004.
“Folk performances of Tamilnadu in the contemporary period”, in Aattakalaigal Andrum indrum, published by Barathidassan University in 2010.
“The need for Archives”, in the book Folklore and Library for education, in2015 byScitech Publications, Chennai.
“Why Archives’, in the Journal of “Traditional Tamil” in Tamil Language, 2016, Shanlax Publications, Madurai. ………..
Chaired number of sessions in National and State level seminars
Papers Presented:
“Folklore Archiving” in the Dept of Folklore, St.Xavier’s College Palayamkottai.
“Folk songs: Production and Preservation”, All India Radio, Chennai.
“Ethnic identity of Eunuchs” in CENTAFORE, Madurai Kamaraj University.
“Issues in Archiving Folklore” in Dep. of Folklore, St.Xavier’s College Palayamkottai.
“The four forms of Folklore” in A.I.R. Workshop, Tirunelveli.
“Challenges of Field recordings - Techniques, attitudes and legal issues” in A.I.R. Workshop, Tirunelveli.
“Archiving Folklore- Methodology and Issues” in FOSSILS National Conference at Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai.
“Applied Pavaikoothu” in the seminar on Applied Folklore in Madurai Kamaraj University.
“Audio Visual archiving”, guest lectures in Centre for Folklore Studies, P.S.Telugu University, Warangal.
“Audio Visual Archiving”, guest lectures in Department of Folklore, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai.
“Why archiving”, in the seminar “E-folklore”, in Madurai Kamaraj University.
“Documenting Folklore for Archival purpose- Methodology and issues”, in a conference “Why Archives” in Goa, organized by Archives Research Community, Delhi.
“Up gradation of Museums in Tamilnadu, representing FRRC Museum”, organised by National Museum, New Delhi, in Chennai, April 2005.
Cultural Photography”, guest lectures in Department of Folklore, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai in February 2010.
……….and number of papers from the year 2012 to April 2019
Participation in Workshops and Seminars:
1. Seminar on “Studies in the History of Tirunelveli - Kattabomman “conducted by Manonmaniam Sundaranar University & Tamilnadu Archives, Chennai in September 1996.
2. “Media Orientation Workshop” conducted by Archives Resource Community (ARC) at Chennai in November 1997.
3. Workshop on “Conservation of Cultural Heritage” conducted jointly by National Archives of India, New Delhi and The Institute of Asian Studies, Chennai in November 1997.
4. Workshop on “Tamil Society and Culture” conducted by Folklore Resources and Research Centre, Palayamkottai in 1997.
5. Workshop on “Orality and Literacy” conducted by Folklore Resources and Research Centre, Palayamkottai in August 1998.
6. Workshop on “River valley Culture” conducted by Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), Bhopal in September 1998.
7. “The New Media Orientation Workshop” conducted by The Orient Foundation, Varanasi in October 1998.
8. “Ethnicity and Identity Workshop” conducted by FRRC, Palayamkottai in January 1999.
9. Conference on “Sanangalin Samihal” conducted by FRRC, Palayamkottai and Indra Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), Bhopal in February 1999.
10. Workshop on “Ethnomusicology” conducted by FRRC, Palayamkottai in May 1999.
11. Workshop on “Dalit Narrativity” conducted by FRRC, Palayamkottai in May 1999.
12. Seminar on “Vinayagar Cult” conducted by FRRC, Palayamkottai in January 2000.
13. “Audio Workshop” conducted by Archives Resources Community(ARC), Gurgaon at Mumbai in January 2001.
14. “Ethnographic video - workshop” conducted by Archives Resources Community(ARC), Gurgaon at Kolkata in November 2001.
15. “FOSSILS National Conference” conducted by Centre for Tamil Folklore Studies, Warangal and Dept. Of Tamil Studies, M.K.University, Madurai in February 2002.
16. “Workshop on Audio Digitization”, conducted by Archives Resources Community, Gurgaon, Haryana in November 2003.
17. “Symposium on Up gradation of Museums in Tamilnadu”, organised by National Museum, New Delhi, in April 2005 in Chennai.
18. National workshop on “Preventive Conservation of information material with special reference to manuscripts” organised by National Museum, Chennai in July 2005.
19. “Broken People and Religious Discourses”, seminar organised by Centre for Ambedkar Studies, Tirunelveli, in March 2006.
20. “Multifacets of Ambedkar”, seminar organised by Centre for Ambedkar Studies, Tirunelveli, in April 2006.
21. Documentary film Festival on Excluded Societies organised by Centre for Ambedkar Studies, Tirunelveli, in March 2006.
22. Seminar on “Intertextuality of Folklore, Film and Theatre”, conducted by Department of Folklore, Madurai Kamaraj University in March 2007.
23. One day orientation programme at St.Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai in June 2012.
24. Two days Orientation Programme at St.Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai in September 2012.
25. Three days National seminar on “Cultural, geographical and sociological views of AAtrupadai Literature”, by Pondichery Central university in December 2012.
……….and more number of National and international workshops and seminars from the year 2012 to till date.
Organizational Experience: Actively involved in organizing A three days Folk Festival in September, 1995. A three days Drama Festival in August, 1997. A three days workshop on Folkloristics in 1996. A course on Practical Photography in May,1998. One day seminar on Cultural Tourism in July 1998. Three days workshop on Dalit Narrative Theology in November, 1998. One day celebration on Nava Naal in February, 1999. Six days national conference on Sanangalin Samihal in February, 1999. Two days consultation on Encyclopedia of Tamil Folk deities in April, 1999. Two days workshop on Research Methodology in January 2000 & September 2003. One week seminar on Esthetic approach in August, 2000. Three days workshop on Paadi Varum Parani in February, 2001. One day Pongal Folk Festival in January 2002. Gramiyam, A mega folk performance competitions for school students in the years 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Five days workshop on Folklore and Folk arts for the A.I.R officials in the years 2001 & 2003. Three days workshop on “Preventive conservation of Manuscripts”, in January 2005, with Chennai Museum, Tirunelveli Museum and Saraswathi Mahal Library, Tanjore. One day seminar on, “Folklore and communication”, in January 2005 Three days International Conference on “Sea, Land, People”, By Jesuit Tsunami Services, in January, 2006. Monthly seminars in various aspects of Folklore in FRRC. “Chennai Sangamam” a week long cultural festival in Chennai organized by Tamil Mayyam in association with Tamilnadu Tourism and Department of Culture in February 2007 and January 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. “Cultural Informatics”, a national seminar by FRRC and UGC in Jan 2010. 5 days Workshop on “World view of Subaltern People” by FRRC and Department of Folklore in August 2010 . 2 Days UGC sponsored National seminar on “Popular Religiosity ad Sacred Healing Sites ” by FRRC and Department of Folklore in February 2011. One day Seminar on “Folk Arts and Folk Artistes – Issues and Prospects” by FRRC and Department of Folklore in April 2011. Ten days National workshop on “Sangam Literature and Tamil social institutions’ by FRRC and Dept. of Folklore in March 2012. Six days National workshop on “World view of subaltern people’ by FRRC and Dept. of Folklore in August 2012. Five days National workshop on “Field methodology and Ethnography” by FRRC and Dept. of Folklore in December, 2012. Five days National workshop on “Field methodology and Ethnography” by FRRC and Dept. of Folklore in December, 2012. Two days International film festival on “People and Tradition ”by FRRC and Dept. of Folklore in January 2013. One day seminar on “Naa.Vaa. Day” in February 2013. …. and more than fifty seminars & workshops from the year 2013 t0 April 2019.
Documentation and Production Work:
For the FRRC Archives documentation work on Tamil Folk Cultural Heritage (Festivals, Rituals, narrations, Performances, Life cycle ceremonies, Oral literature, Folk craft……..) was done in my leadership in the following formats from the year 1997 till date. a) Video - 700 hrs
b) Audio - 600 hrs
c) Photographs - 10,000 nos
Produced number of Audio cassettes and video documentaries related to Folklore and Culture for Folklore Resources and Research Centre.
Above materials are systematically accessed in the Archives of Folklore Resources and Research Centre, St.Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai.
Knowledge in Computer : can work with current packages, all multimedia works.
Audio/video/photo editing, film making.
Extra-curricular activities : Participated in Inter zone Hockey matches in school team for 7 years.
Cricket all rounder participated in the College Cricket team for 4 years.
Expertise in Photography, Videography & Audio- visual Archiving