When a fledgling university moots an idea, it is not often that it is taken up with alacrity by older universities. Karnataka Folklore University, set up a few years ago at Gotagodi in Shiggaon taluk of Haveri district, had proposed to set up folk museums across the State. But, it does not seem to have evoked much interest.
The university came up with the idea to curate local traditions, art forms and folklore after its plan to set up an open museum on a 100-acre site fell through.
“It has been close to three months since it was proposed. The idea is to use such museums as a local collection centre to facilitate research. But, except for Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) and the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, none of the universities responded to our proposal,” the former Vice-Chancellor of the university Ambalike Hiriyanna, told The Hindu . Bharat Lal Meena, Principal Secretary, Higher Education, had sent letters to all universities and deemed universities in the State. Under the proposal, the only role of the university or the deemed university was to provide space for setting up the museum. The folklore university would then take up the responsibility of setting up the museum and collect exhibits through project assistants.
Only the KSOU and the UAS-B seem to have understood the significance of the proposal. While the KSOU has signed a memorandum of understanding and one research assistant has taken up the task of collecting the exhibits, the UAS-B has given its consent letter. “The issue was discussed during the meeting of vice-chancellors chaired by Mr. Meena, and subsequently the proposal was approved. But, no one else has responded. We will follow up plans with the UAS-B,” Dean of General Folklore and in-charge Vice-Chancellor K. Premkumar said.
