US students evincing interest in Indian folklore, says scholar

July 26, 2014 12:48 am | Updated August 16, 2016 08:00 pm IST - KHAJIPALEM (GUNTUR DT):

Former director at University of Mysore speaks at the national seminar on 'A study of Telugu culture in fol lore' at Khajipalem in Guntur district on Friday. Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar

Former director at University of Mysore speaks at the national seminar on 'A study of Telugu culture in fol lore' at Khajipalem in Guntur district on Friday. Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar

In a sign of renewed interest in Indian folklore, universities across America and Europe have launched programmes in Indian folklore, former director at University of Mysore and visiting professor in the Department of South Asia Studies, University of Pennsylvania, R.V.S Sundaram said here on Friday.

“India is the source of folklore in the world. In no other country, one can find so many kinds of different kinds of folklore. The abundance of material in the form of songs, verses and literature compels research scholars across world to look towards India,’’ Dr. Sundaram told The Hindu in an informal chat on the sidelines of a national seminar at a college here.

The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, the oldest University in USA, launched South Asia Studies 125 years back. Recently, the University launched UG and PG programmes in Indian Folklore. In the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) academic programmes, students should study at least one foreign language and most of them are opting for Indian languages.

“It is surprising that even students from Wharton School of Economics are showing interest in Indian folklore,” Dr. Sundaram said while noting with a tinge of sadness that the Indian government have not taken many initiatives to preserve the rich cultural heritage.

“The government should formulate a language and cultural policy. Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi did try to launch a policy but he could not complete it. Since then, we do not have a cultural policy,’’ he said.

Folklore has an immense popularity and even the present day animation films drew their origin from the ancient folktales like ‘Panchatantra.’ Puppet Shows are another popular medium and even today, poll campaigns in Kolar district in Karnataka are marked by puppet shows, Dr. Sundaram said.

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