PreFormat: Paper presentations with discussion
Convenors:
Dr Meeramani N., Librarian, JAIN (Deemed-to-be-University), Bangalore, India, n.meeramani@jainuniversity.ac.in
Anushka Earskin, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Sri Lanka, anushka@cipmlk.org
South Asia’s folk traditions form a vibrant tapestry of cultural expressions, deeply rooted in mythology, spirituality, and community rituals. These practices, passed down through oral traditions, serve as a repository of collective identity, values, and shared memory. Blending mythology and everyday life, South Asian folk culture comes alive through colourful festivals, sacred performances, and vernacular art forms, showcasing the region’s enduring relationship with the spiritual and natural world.
This session will explore the dynamic interplay between folk rituals, mythological narratives, and performative traditions, focusing on how they shape regional identities, while fostering resilience amid social and cultural transformations. Examples such as Karnataka’s Bhuta Kola and Nagamandala, Tamil Nadu’s Therukoothu, and the masked dances of the Himalayan regions highlight the philosophical depth and cosmological diversity within these practices.
We invite contributions that examine the integration of performance arts like Yakshagana and Bharatanatyam with mythic storytelling, the role of nature-centric rituals in preserving ecological awareness, and the influence of vernacular architecture on ritual spaces. The session will also consider the evolving relevance of these traditions in contemporary contexts and their potential for fostering cultural sustainability. This session seeks to deepen our understanding of South Asia’s pluralistic heritage and inspire discussions on the relevance of its folk traditions in addressing modern cultural challenges.
Papers:
Guardians of Heritage: Sacred Stories and Ritual Expressions in Sri Lankan Folk Culture
Chinthaka Jeewaratne, Manager, Business Development, Apex Print & Graphics, Sri Lanka
Brindley Perera, Manager, Fixed Income Trading & Sales, Nations Trust Bank, Sri Lanka
Sacred stories and ritual practices have served as vibrant expressions of uniqueness, holiness, and community consistency in Sri Lanka, while its rich cultural heritage is powerfully rooted in folk traditions. This research study discovers the relationship between sacred stories and ritualistic practices in Sri Lankan folk culture, focusing on their roles in preserving cultural continuity within transformation. Further, the current study reveals key traditions, such as village rituals, temple ceremonies, and oral storytelling, highlighting their symbolic meanings and the socio-religious values they maintain and highlights the dynamic nature of these traditions, which adapt to modern challenges while retaining their core spirit. By analysing the transmission of these practices across generations, this study emphasises their significance in nurturing a sense of belonging and safeguarding the nation’s intangible cultural heritage. Finally, the research seeks to develop the consideration of Sri Lanka’s folk traditions and their lasting relevance in a rapidly changing world.
The Festival of Lights: Exploring the Rituals and Symbolism of Sri Lanka’s Esala Perahera in Maintaining Religious and Cultural Identity
Anushka Earskin, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Sri Lanka
The Kandy Esala Perahera, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic cultural and religious festivals, is celebrated annually to honour the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, a UNESSCO World Heritage Site. It blends Buddhist traditions with indigenous rituals rooted in the 4th-century arrival of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha. This study discovers the complex rituals and symbolism related with the Perahera, highlighting its role in preserving Sri Lanka’s religious and cultural identity. Combining ancient, ethnographic, and symbolic analyses, it highlights how the festival’s elaborate procession, involving drummers, dancers, elephants, and torchbearers, represents the island’s deep-rooted Buddhist traditions while nurturing communal unity and intercultural dialogue. The centrepiece is the Maligawa Tusker, carrying the golden casket of the Sacred Tooth Relic, symbolising the richness of Sri Lankan heritage and marked by key events such as Kumbal Perahera, Randoli Perahera, and the Diya Kapeema (Water Cutting Ceremony). The Esala Perahera’s blend of religious devotion, artistic expression, and community participation emphasises its significance in sustaining cultural continuity and heritage. By examining its historical evolution, the study reveals how the Perahera has adapted to modernity while maintaining its sacred essence, making it a vital symbol of Sri Lanka’s cultural resilience and unity in diversity.
Folk Culture in India: Rituals and Spiritual Practices of Tulu Nadu, Karnataka
Dr Meeramani N., Librarian, JAIN (Deemed- to- be University), Bangalore, India
The folk culture of Tulu Nadu, encompassing Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka State in India, is a vibrant blend of traditions, rituals, and art forms deeply rooted in the region’s coastal heritage and spiritual beliefs. One of the most distinctive cultural elements of Tulu Nadu is Yakshagana, a dynamic dance-drama that brings to life stories from epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Tulu Nadu’s folk practices are deeply intertwined with local deities, myths, and customs. Ritualistic performances such as Bhuta Kola (spirit worship) and Nagamandala (serpent worship) symbolising the connection between humans, nature, and the divine. These rituals accompanied by music, dance, elaborate costumes and storytelling, emphasising community participation. Similarly, Karangolu/Kangilu Kunitha serves as an example of Tulu Nadu’s rich cultural traditions, highlighting the community’s connection to nature, spirituality, and cultural identity. This study highlights the diverse folk practices and rituals that offers valuable insights into community’s identity and its enduring relationship with nature and heritage. In addition, it explores the spiritual traditions that preserve the history and ethos of the Tulu-speaking people. The research will also examine festivals such as Kambala and Aati Kalenja, highlighting their significance in sustaining the cultural fabric of Tulu Nadu.
Sacred Narratives in Bangladesh’s Indigenous Communities: Preserving Folk Knowledge through Rituals
Dr Md Zillur Rahman, Librarian, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology
Sacred narratives can be defined as holy tales or folklore that plays a significant role in preserving the cultural heritage and folk knowledge of Bangladesh’s Indigenous communities. The preservation of sacred narratives and folk knowledge within these communities is increasingly threatened by globalisation and religious transformation. This study aims to explore how sacred narratives help preserve folk knowledge, the role of rituals in maintaining cultural continuity, and the resilience of Indigenous communities in adapting their traditions. Using a qualitative approach, the paper draws on ethnographic fieldwork, interviews, and participant observation within Indigenous groups like the Chakma, Marma, and Santal. It also reviews relevant literature on oral traditions and rituals. Sacred narratives, passed through oral storytelling and myths, transmit moral, historical, and spiritual knowledge. Rituals associated with these stories play a crucial role in fostering social unity and preserving cultural heritage. Despite pressures from modernisation, these communities adapt their rituals while retaining core elements, ensuring continuity. Sacred narratives and rituals are essential for maintaining cultural identity and knowledge. By navigating external pressures, these communities demonstrate resilience and successfully safeguard their traditions for future generations.
Echoes of Heritage: The Evolution of Kolam Performances in Sri Lanka and India as a Symbol of Cultural Identity
Indika Wijayasriwardana, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Sri Lanka
Anushka Earskin, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s Kolam and India’s Kola folk dances, deeply rooted in the cultural heritage, symbolise a unique blend of art, ritual, and identity. These dances are frequently performed during religious ceremonies to honour deities. Kolam drama is embedded in Sri Lankan folklore and effortlessly blends music, dance, dialogues, and storytelling, using ornamental costumes and masks to transmit folk narratives and religious stories while India’s Kola dance, particularly seen in states like Karnataka, is lively and festive, celebrating rural life and seasonal harvests through energetic performances. Regardless of their differences, both dances focus community involvement and serve as vital representations of cultural identity, demonstrating the varied ways in which folk art can be celebrated across regions. This study discovers the growth of these traditions in these regions, outlining their old roots and modern versions. By inspecting symbolic elements, performance styles, and regional variations, the research highlights Kolam/Kola’s role in preserving collective memory and promoting cultural steadiness. A comparative lens exposes the shared impacts of religion, folklore, and oral traditions, together with typical local practices in Sri Lanka and India and how Kolam/Kola serves as a marker of cultural identity, particularly in the face of societal changes such as urbanisation and globalisation.
Gambhira: The Wooden Mask-Making and Folk Mask Dancing Tradition of Dinajpur, West Bengal, India
Nibedita Naskar, Doctoral Fellow, Dept of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute (Deemed to be University), Pune, India
The tradition of mask-making in India has ancient roots, but archaeological evidence remains scarce due to the climatic condition and perishable nature of materials. Ethnographic studies, however, offer significant insights into this cultural heritage. Wooden mask-making is a prominent art form, closely tied to local folklore and mythology, passed down through generations. The Gambhira mask-making tradition of the Rajbanshi communities in the Dinajpur district of West Bengal is one such remarkable practice. Gambhira masks are integral to folk dance performances associated with religious festivals and rituals of the Rajbanshi community. These masks, crafted with intricate carvings and bold colours, reflect both artistic skill and cultural symbolism. The dances often depict narratives rooted in Shaiva-Shakta themes, emphasizing connections with local mythology and religious traditions. While no archaeological evidence of masks has been discovered in the region, the themes and characters of this folk dance bear strong parallels to Shaiva and Shakta imagery evident in sculptures from early medieval archaeological sites in North Bengal. These correlations highlight the potential for further exploration of material and intangible heritage in the region. Despite its rich heritage, the Gambhira mask-making tradition is under threat, necessitating urgent efforts to preserve this unique art form.
The Mystical Elements of Zapori: Trance and Possession in Folk Dance of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India
Dhananjay S. Khandare, Dept of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, (Deemed to be University), India
Zapori, a vibrant folk tradition and performing art from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, holds significant cultural and traditional importance within the local community. This research paper investigates the various features of Zapori, focusing on its role during the Gauri-Ganpati festival, its contribution to social and cultural bonding, and its mythical importance. Community members participate by singing and dancing, enhancing spiritual and social bonding. During Zapori performances, it is common for women to enter a state of possession, often seen as a spiritual experience where performers are believed to be possessed by deities. Community members revere and worship the women to seek blessings, as women in a trance are channels for divine blessings. The study explores the phenomena of females entering trance states and examines the psychological and cultural implications of this practice. This study records and examines the traditional methods, music, and dance of Zapori using anthropological methodologies, such as field observations and interviews with practitioners and community members. These trance rituals are a vital part of Zapori, reflecting the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Bhandari and Koli communities from Ratnagiri. This folk tradition serves as a form of entertainment and reinforces social cohesion and cultural identity within the community.
Folk Narratives and Ritual Transformation: Analysing the Veerbhadra Ki Yatra of Rahta, Maharashtra
Khushi Burad, Dept of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune, India
Veerbhadra ki Yatra is a folk festivity which includes a one-day long procession dedicated to the deity Veerbhadra, whose antiquity could be traced to the Puranic traditions. Said to be one of the furious forms of Shiva, Veerbhadra; locally referred to as Veeroba, stands as a village deity for the small town of Rahta, situated in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, India. This procession is observed on the second day after the full moon of Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) of the first month of the Marathi calendar. This celebration is based on local folklore which talks about the unwavering devotion of a woman towards this deity, who is considered miraculous by the population. The process includes building a tall chariot which carries two hanging ‘Galas’. These Galas are males between the age of eighteen to thirty years who keep a fast for the 24 hours of the procession day and are worshiped by the villagers alongside the deity for their contribution. This paper aims to systematically document the intangible nature of this lesser-known tradition, along with shedding light on the impact it has on the lives of the local masses and the changing folk narratives attached to it.
Understanding the Ritualistic Practices Followed by Moyars in the Festival of Kalliyattam and the Annual Nadavali Mahotsava
Mridini Uchil, Jai Hind College Autonomous, Mumbai, India
Moyars, a fishing community mainly located off the coast of the Arabian sea, and dispersed throughout the region of Dakshina Karnataka to North Kerala, mainly worship Devi Bhagavathi, along with other accompanying deities. The process of reverence of this deity in the 11 sthanas (places of worship for the Moyars) involves various ritualistic practices. Upon focussing on the festival of Kaliyattam and the annual Nadavali Mahotsava, one understands that in both of these hugely elaborate festivals, the spirit of the deity is possessed by the assigned impersonator with substantial differences in the manner that each of these ritualistic performances materialise. This research paper aims to comparatively analyse these different yet uniquely blended practices, which play an important role in the cultural, social and religious life of the Moyar community. It aims to understand the relevance and significance of continuing these diverse practices in ever-changing times for the Indigenous community. It also seeks to analyse the evolution of these rituals with effect to understanding the nature and history of the Moyar community. The study also intends to trace mythological narratives to understand the true nature of these religious practices and the inherent values of worship and beliefs.