Scholars brainstorm on folk culture

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Dec 27: A brainstorming session of folk culture delved deep into folk cultures of various ethnic groups at a programme organized by Nilachal Kala Kendra, Beharbari, Guwahati at District Library in the city today. If galand University (NU) associate professor Dr. Upasasa Bora and noted artist Sunil Sinha spoke the essence of folk culture in general; Tezpur University professor Smriti Kumar Sinha, SP Pratap Sinha and jourlist Ramlal Sinha were specific to the Bishnupriya Manipuri folklore. Chaired by social activist Shanti Kumar Sinha, the discussion on the topic could bring out something that can bring about desired efforts to preserve folklores.

Dr. Bora was quite clear when she said that ‘culture is something that lies in our soul, i.e. core… Our culture is always in a transitiol phase. With the emergence of popular or new cultures, every folk culture is facing a challenge’. She, however, said: “There’s nothing to worry on the extinction threat to any folk culture. The best will continue to survive.” This essentially means that if an ethnic group wants to preserve its own culture, it has to give the culture some qualitative edges against the cannibal cultures.    

Giving a brief description of the general characteristics of folk culture as a whole, noted artist Sunil Sinha said: “The Manipuri Dhrupadi Nritya is based on Vaivite rasa. The Manipuri dance gurus got inspirations from Govinda Lilamrit of Krishdas Kabiraj, Bhakti Rantkar of rahari Chakravarty, Haribhaktibilas etc. These are some of the scripts that have enriched the Manipuri culture.” Since he is an artist by profession, he was asked to give a brief account on the artists of the community he belongs to. He was nostalgic when he remembered  renowned artist Bimal Sinha.

Prof. Smriti Kumar Sinha had to adopt a pick-and-chose method as he had to discuss on the folk elements that were left by his preceding speakers. He talked about folktales, folk attire, folk beliefs with special reference to the Bishnupriya Manipuri folks.

Speaking on the same vein, SP Pratap Sinha spoke on folk songs, material folk elements etc., while jourlist Ramlal Sinha, as the opening speaker of the discussion, gave an account on Bishnupriya Manipuri folks, its commonness and differences with Meitei folks, childlore, folk music, folk number line of the Bishnupriya Manipuris etc.  

The discussion was followed by a cultural programme that was iugurated by noted writer and film producer Prabhas Kanti Sinha.