The work on Karnataka Grama Charitra Kosha , an ambitious project of Karnataka State Folklore University to bring out 30 volumes on the 36,000 villages in the State, is moving at a fast pace.
Bhojaraja Patil, editor of the volume on Haveri, is giving final touches to the details about 706 villages in the district.
According to Ambalike Hiriyanna, Vice-Chancellor of the varsity, the volumes would have details such as the meaning of the name of a village, its historical, geographical, social, economic, and cultural aspects, apart from references about it in the mythology.
“The process to appoint district editors has begun. Applications have been invited from field experts to collect data on villages. A meeting of editors will be convened later,” he said.
Distinct identity
Pointing out that each village had its own distinct identity, characters and history, Prof. Hiriyanna said it had been decided to collect all the possible information, highlighting what contributed to their distinct character.
Though the Karnataka Gazetteer had references to some of these villages, the details were not comprehensive. Over 25 guidelines had been framed to collect data about the villages and record them authentically, Prof. Hiriyanna added.
A folk culture still survives in many villages with its rustic flavour, traditional practices, despite the onslaught of economic liberalisation. However, they have not been documented properly. In this backdrop, the Kosha will be a ready-reckoner for historians.
“It is an attempt to reconstruct the histories of villages. It will be a valuable asset for the future generation,” K.T. Chikkanna, former Joint Director, Kannada and Culture, said.
Experts such as M.M. Kalburgi, writer; S. Shettar, historian; Go.Ru. Channabasappa, folklore expert; Mr. Chikkana; and Hi.Shi. Ramachandre Gowda are overseeing the project.
The project was envisaged in 2006, as part of the golden jubilee of the formation of the State. But it could not take off in view of paucity of funds and it was transferred to the folklore varsity.
