A Synonym to Conservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage: Folkland, International Centre for Folklore and Culture, Heading for Its 30Th Anniversary
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A Synonym to Conservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage: Folkland, International Centre for Folklore and Culture, Heading for Its 30th Anniversary V. Jayarajan Folkland, International Centre for Folklore and Culture Folkland, International Centre for Folklore and Culture is an institution that was first registered on December 20, 1989 under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, vide No. 406/89. Over the last 16 years, it has passed through various stages of growth, especially in the fields of performance, production, documentation, and research, besides the preservation of folk art and culture. Since its inception in 1989, Folkland has passed through various phases of growth into a cultural organization with a global presence. As stated above, Folkland has delved deep into the fields of stage performance, production, documentation, and research, besides the preservation of folk art and culture. It has strived hard and treads the untrodden path with a clear motto of preservation and inculcation of old folk and cultural values in our society. Folkland has a veritable collection of folk songs, folk art forms, riddles, fables, myths, etc. that are on the verge of extinction. This collection has been recorded and archived well for scholastic endeavors and posterity. As such, Folkland defines itself as follows: 1. An international center for folklore and culture. 2. A cultural organization with clearly defined objectives and targets for research and the promotion of folk arts. Folkland has branched out and reached far and wide into almost every nook and corner of the world. The center has been credited with organizing many a festival on folk arts or workshop on folklore, culture, linguistics, etc. Seminars, discussions, and symposia are also conducted and have thus contributed to the process of re-kindling the folk lamps, which have shed streaks of light onto our past treasure of knowledge. ▲ Kutiyattam performance for school children These projects aimed to create a pool of people who could act as advocates for their cultural heritage. Along with regular performances for gaining economic stability, Folkland has successfully planned long-term sustain- ability projects with documentation and archival of the resources for handing down to the next generation. he southwestern state of India, Kerala, is a The Indian State of Kerala is facing various historically significant, ecologically rich, culture-related threats. In order to deal with the T socially distinct, culturally diverse, and issues in the future, there is a need to sensitize and economically poor state with many constraints. raise awareness in the performing communities Deterioration of cultural heritage is a major and make them proud of their heritage. Folkland’s problem among other issues that the state is facing project intends to create awareness of heritage due to the poor patronage compared to the feudal issues and communities in order for them to sustain system. As the present generation is being attracted themselves with the traditional art forms. These by white-collar jobs, the performing arts have no traditional art forms can be effective communica- stakeholders. Insufficient remuneration, limited tion tools for creating awareness among students days of performance, and low status are other and can also be used as a part of social awareness problems. The gender-biased nature of performing through performances in and out of the villages. arts is another issue. With this in mind, this project aims to create a To make the cultural heritage of the country pool of people who can act as advocates for their better, sustainable development through cultural cultural heritage. Along with the regular perfor- practices has a vital role. It can create enthu- mances for gaining economic stability, Folkland is siasm for protecting cultural heritage among the planning a long-term project with documentation performing community. The time has come when and archival of resources for the next generation. cultural sensitivity should be cultivated among the Folkland, International Centre for Folklore and society at large. If we generate the cultural values Culture is a non-profit, non-governmental orga- in society, we will make citizens more responsible nization devoted to the promotion of folklore and toward our cultural heritage. culture. Folkland, housed in Kerala, is a registered 87 ▲ Mangalamkali performance by the Mavila tribe of Kasargod society under the Indian Societies Act of 1860 and been trying to conserve heritage with pride. It has been in existence since 1989. It works with also opens the door of ICH to the world outside. three main centers and several chapters in India. Folkland envisions a society that respects cultural Main domains of Folkland include performing heritage by conserving art and cultural tradition arts, oral traditions and expressions, social and passing it to the future generations. practices, rituals and festivals, traditional crafts, The objective of Folkland is to promote cultural knowledge and practices concerning nature and heritage by training younger generations to uphold the universe, and traditional craftsmanship. Folk- the cultural tradition. The philosophy guiding the land is involved in identification, documentation, institution is to delve deep into Kerala’s cultural research (including inventory-making), pres- roots and preserve its varied heritage for posterity. ervation, protection, promotion, enhancement, Since its inception, the institution has passed transmission, non-formal cultural education, and through various stages of growth, especially in the revitalization of lesser-known art forms. Folkland fields of performance, production, documentation, is dedicated to the promotion of culture with its and research, besides the preservation of folk art values, with a main focus on intangible cultural and culture. Folkland has actively provided access heritage. The center also provides access to to performing arts, cultural education, knowl- knowledge and information about ICH and has edge, and information through cultural practices. 88 4. A Synonym to Conservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage Its main domains include performing arts, oral − Udayamkali, a women’s community dance form traditions and expressions, social practices, rituals of Kerala; and festivals, and traditional crafts. The center − Mulamchenda, a percussion instrument made out documents the oral traditions and practices and of bamboo; and also extends training to the younger generation in − Kothamooriyattam, a song–and dance–based art order to revitalize the old and extinct traditional form popular in the Kannur and Kasargod districts art forms. of Kerala. Folkland has initiated the making of an inven- Folkland has also promoted the Kerala folk art tory of rare folklore genres in the Kerala state of forms through performances in places outside its India and has also prepared a folk culture map of arena, with ritual practices such as the following: the state. The center has revitalized those rare art − Teyyam, a ritual dance with a tale behind it prev- forms that are either on the verge of extinction alent in North Kerala, performed with elaborate or already extinct. The main art forms and heri- makeup and gorgeous costumes and headgear; tage properties revitalized thus far include the − Poorakkali, a circular dance performed in the following: mother goddess shrines by male folk in the − Mangalamkali, a dance ritual related to marriage Meenam month of Kerala, which falls during in the Mavila tribes of Kasargod and Kannur February to April; districts of Kerala; − Kolkali, a circular folk art performance of the ▼ A dance training camp 89 Mavila community of Kerala; and workshops and training camps. − Kalaripayatt, a martial arts form of Kerala rega- The traditional dancers faced a very difficult rded as the oldest and most scientific of its kind in situation previously, as they earned only a pittance the world. from the ritual dances. The patronage by the Folkland conducts regular workshops and community had also been reduced to a minimum. training classes in order to transmit the traditional Traditional jurisdiction for the performers was art forms and oral traditions to the next genera- limited to the villages they belonged to, and they tion. It hosts regional, national, and international had no right to perform outside the village. Folk- seminars and conferences with a view to enrich land, with the help of community leaders and the its academic endeavors. The institution has been masters of the performing groups, tried to break in the forefront of bringing artists together from down barriers and open new platforms in domestic India and abroad for artistic pursuits. It also cities and outside the country. Participation in the organizes dialogues between communities and ceremonies of the National Games, Common- people of different cultural traditions. Being a wealth Games, and international festivals brought pioneer organization that has a deep influence on the artists fame and pride. the artistic community, Folkland provides a forum Folkland has worked with several communi- for artists, artisans, and scholars in furtherance of ties such as the Mavilan, a North Kerala tribal the intangible cultural heritage. It has proven that community living in the hilly areas of Kannur this work has enhanced the universal values of and Kasargod districts, and the Keralan scheduled multiculturalism. castes of Vannan, Malayan, and Pulayan, who are Folkland’s initiative in promoting