Dismantling The Boundaries Of Folk And Classical Artforms Analysis

Salini LR
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Prof: Makarand Paranjape
Due date : 25 /09/2014
Submitted on:26/09/2014
Term Paper
Dismantling the boundaries of folk and classical artforms-A journey through K Satchidanandan article "REFLECTIONS: the folk and the classical interrogating the boundaries'. K Satchidanandan article brings out a distinction between folk and classical art forms. He introspect the boundaries that divide the two and tries to bring out the picture of one in opposition to other. He defines folk as free of all bonds, flexible and subject to any kind of change. He critically evaluates classical forms as rigid confining itself to the norms and conventions of the society. After independence Sanskritisation was used as a tool to bridge the
The elements of folk arts are replaced with that of classical art forms. The former has lost its roots because of this association . The coming of folklorism and the attempts to discriminate certain art forms are matters of great concerns. It precisely illustrates the way in which folk cultures are subjected to Sanskritisaion to have the characteristics of classical art forms. Thus folk arts which aimed at spreading the voice of the subjugated lost its aura as it got flavoured to become a classical art form. The kind of rigidity imposed on folk arts and classical arts gave rise to folklorism and classicism. Folklorism gave primary importance to preserve the folk arts without undergoing any changes in accordance with time and classicism points to the preservation of sanctity of traditional art forms . The seperation of folklore into the paradigms of folklorism is an attempt to marginalise those ethic art from the mainstream of culture and arts of society. He brings us to our attention about the increasing tendencies to study folklore as alienated. It also pauses several questions which includes if the boundaries of the oppressed cannot not be linked to the dominating class to maintain the harmony of society. We should be able to free folk arts from the shackles of capitalism which limits its growth and reach to a wider
Also it made me think about the discrimination involved in labelling certain art forms as folklores and preserving it under 'folklorism' thereby limiting them to the regional boundaries as dictated by superior classical art forms. The article threw light on the popular tendencies of a post-colonial society where the class and caste draws the paradigms for the popularisation and acceptance of various art forms. Also, it persuades every reader to go back to villages and find out the folk arts and do their level best to bring into the forefront, in tunes with the time', to make it echo the voice of the masses. The author has justified the Title "REFLECTIONS: the folk and the classical interrogating the boundaries'. The article is a good read as it precisely shows how he presents an idea, defines each term mentioned in the title and concludes by his suggestion of dismantling the boundaries of folk and classical. The article is an extension of authors intervention in the making of a rational world where caste, class and religion didnot hinder the growth of an individual and thereby the society. His articles such as 'mainstreaming the subaltern', 'fighting the stereotype' 'songs from underworld' and 'inside outside' reflect the authors interest in speaking about the marginalised and subaltern population and this article is another golden feather in his literary