NT BUZZ
Goa’s rich mosaic of folklore remains largely unexplored, often shrouded in misconceptions about its tribal communities. “We need to delve deeper, conduct rigorous research, and unveil the true essence of our cultural heritage,” stated Padma Shri awardee and Goan folklorist Vinayak Khedekar. He was addressing a two-day national seminar held on the theme, ‘Deciphering Indian Folk Heritage: Revisiting the Past and Revaluating the Present to Rethink the Future’.
The seminar was organised by the Department of English at Dnyanprassarak Mandal’s College and Research Centre, Assagao, in collaboration with the Directorate of Higher Education (Government of Goa), the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi, and the Centre for Folklore Studies and Research, Kolkata. Scholars from across India attended the event, which focused on the challenges and opportunities in preserving and promoting Indian folk heritage in the 21st century.
Khedekar, was the chief guest at the inaugural session, where principal professor D.B. Arolkar emphasised the importance of academic discourse in safeguarding folk traditions. Joint Secretary of Dnyanprassarak Mandal, Kiran Natekar, along with vice-principal M. Shanthi and DHE observer Ajit Farras, also attended.
Keynote addresses included Koral Dasgupta, author of the Sati Series, who spoke on ‘Exploring Gender Philosophy in Indian Epics’, and graphic novelist Amruta Patil, who discussed ‘Incorporating Mythology in Graphic Literature’. Associate professor at Central University, Hyderabad, Dr. Joly Puthussery, presented on ‘Emerging Folk Cultural Performances in India’, and professor J. Bheemaiah from Central University, Hyderabad, explored the transition of cultural expressions in his talk, ‘From Folk to Urban: Conceptualising Peasantry and Gentry in Folk Life’. Professor K.S. Bhat from the Manipal Centre for European Studies examined ‘Colonialism, Modernity, and Culture: Historicising Yakshagana’.
The seminar included 12 technical sessions, with over 100 paper presentations. Distinguished academicians chaired the sessions, including M. Shanthi (DM’s College), Deepa Prajit (Government College, Quepem), Akshata Bhatt (Dhempe College), Varsha Kamar (PES College), professor Urmil Talwar (Commissionerate College of Education, Jaipur), and Susan Deborah (MES College).
A student paper presentation competition featured emerging scholars, with Brian Mendonca (Carmel College, Nuvem) and Prema Rocha (St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa) as jury members. The best student presentations were awarded to Shubham Parab and Kshitij Shetkar (Government College, Khandola), Vedha Gawde (Goa University), and A.J. Angel (Parvatibai Chowgule College). Best research paper awards went to Malavika Pradeep (EFLU, Hyderabad), Sowmya Tripathi (JNU, New Delhi), and Gowthan Rajan (Chennai University).
The valedictory function was graced by chief guest Pandurang Phaldesai, director of Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr, Porvorim and professor K. Anil Kumar, director of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, as the guest of honour.
