Introducing Folk Literature of India

ABOUT THE COURSE: This course is framed to connect the students with the rich cultural heritage as reflected in the folk literatures existing in the diverse languages of our country. Students pursuing graduation, post-graduation and research will learn about societal fabric, multiculturalism, folkloristics and ethnography through the spectrum of various literary genres including poetry, fiction, songs, performance texts, customs etc. Once completed, this course would enable the learners to become intellectuals organically.INTENDED AUDIENCE: U.G. and P.G. students, Research ScholarsINDUSTRY SUPPORT: Academics and Industries related to folk culture might value this course

Syllabus

Week 1: Introducing Folklore as a Discipline: definitions and key concepts
Week 2:Finding Folk through Oral Poetry
Week 3:Folk and its Narrative Genres
Week 4:Folk Music
Week 5:Folk Performative Traditions
Week 6:Rites and Rituals
Week 7:Myth, Legend and Literature
Week 8:Cultural heritage and Cultural Assimilation
Week 9:Revisiting Folklore: The Question of Class, Caste and Gender
Week 10:Folk and our Modern Society: Challenges and Acceptance
Week 11:Preserving Folklore: Techniques and Opportunities
Week 12:Discussion, doubt clearing and question answering