BHU organises special course on 'Indian Folk Knowledge'

VARANASI: The Center for Indian Studies at Banaras Hindu University organised a 15-day special course on 'Indian Folk Knowledge' from August 29 to September 16. Participants from universities in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and various states of the country joined this course, which was conducted in a hybrid mode.Addressing the inaugural function, Prof. Prakash Uday from Shri Baldev PG College, Baragaon, spoke on the topic 'The Creative Elements of Folk Literature.' He said that folk is the essence of all. The word 'folk' is distinct from this world, the afterlife, and heaven. In Indian tradition, folk literature is the literature of individuals, the literature of collectivity. Individuals, society, time, and place together create folk literature.

Folk literature will survive when stories are told, written, and songs are sung. Preserving Indian folk literature is preserving its culture.Renowned author and artist Rajesh Vyas, while delivering a special address on folk languages, discussed 'Folk Languages: Characteristics and Importance.' He said that folk languages are carriers of ideas, and when they die, entire communities perish. “All our scriptures are based on folk languages, which help us preserve our memories,” he said, adding that the British extensively worked to erase folk languages. The transmission of knowledge from generation to generation is only possible through our folk languages. Goswami Tulsidas's 'Shri Ramcharitmanas' is proof that it provides a vision of folk life.