Kerala Folklore Akademi
Encyclopedia
Kerala Folklore
Akademi is an autonomous corporate body constituted by the Government of Kerala
on 28 June 1995 under the Cultural Affairs Department, Government of Kerala. Its Headquarter and main study center is at Kannur
in the North Malabar
Region of Kerala State in Southern India
.
The Institution was formed under the Travancore Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act of 1955. It began functioning on 20 January 1996.
The Academy promotes most of the ritual art forms of Kerala, such as theyyam
, Kolam Thullal
, Garudan Hanging
and Chavittu Nadakam
.
Folklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
Akademi is an autonomous corporate body constituted by the Government of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
on 28 June 1995 under the Cultural Affairs Department, Government of Kerala. Its Headquarter and main study center is at Kannur
Kannur
Kannur , also known as Cannanore, is a city in Kannur district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of the District of Kannur and 518km north of state capital Trivandrum. During British rule in India, Kannur was known by its old name Cannanore, which is still in...
in the North Malabar
North Malabar
North Malabar , is a historic as well as geographic distinction in India used to refer the area covering; present Kasaragod and Kannur Districts, Mananthavady taluk of Wayanad District and Koyilandy & Vatakara taluks of Kozhikode District in modern Kerala and the entire Mahé sub-Division of...
Region of Kerala State in Southern India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
.
The Institution was formed under the Travancore Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act of 1955. It began functioning on 20 January 1996.
The Academy promotes most of the ritual art forms of Kerala, such as theyyam
Theyyam
Theyyam or Theyyattam or Thira is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu area Theyyam or Theyyattam or Thira is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu...
, Kolam Thullal
Kolam Thullal
Kolam Thullal is a ritual dance form prevalent in south Kerala, southern India. It is customary in houses and temples of Bhagavathy, a female deity. It is performed at temple festivals and to drive away evil spirits from the "possessed" bodies. Its origins lie with the Tinta group of the Kaniyar...
, Garudan Hanging
Garudan Hanging
Garudan Thookkam is a ritual art form performed in Kali temples of south Kerala, south India. The people who dress up as Garuda perform the dance. After the dance performance, the hang-designate dangle from a shaft hooking the skin on his back...
and Chavittu Nadakam
Chavittu Nadakam
Chavittu Nadakam is a highly colorful Christian classical art form originated in Gothuruth village, Kerala state in India. It is noted for its attractive make-up of characters, their elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the rhythmic playback...
.
Objectives
The main objectives of the Academy are:- Promoting the traditional art forms of Kerala.
- Providing training for boys and girls in traditional art forms.
- Recording these arts scientifically and classify them categorically.
- Prepare records of these art forms after conducting fundamental survey.
- Publish FolkloreFolkloreFolklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
Directory and Folklore Encyclopedia. - Establish folklore museum, and archives.
- Collect and publish traditional stories and songs which are passed from people to people in colloquial language, verbally.
- Evolve new art forms from the traditional arts without losing its original rhythm and music.
- Honor leading artists by giving awards and fellowships.
- Give awards to high quality research publications on these arts.
- Start and maintain a publication for folklore.
- Sponsor festivals in the field of folklore arts.
- Arrange performance by the troupes of the Academy inside and outside the state.
- Promote interstate cultural exchange program and thereby contribute to the emotional integration of India.
- Perform other additional functions that may be entrusted to the Academy by the government time to time.
- Give grants and financial assistance to institutions that impart training in the folk arts and also organizations that conduct performances in the said arts.
- Establishing folklore library.
See also
- Arts of KeralaArts of KeralaThe Indian state of Kerala is well known for its diverse forms of performing arts. The various communities in Kerala contribute to its rich and colorful culture.-Hindu Arts:* Kathakali* Koodiyattom* Theyyam* Thira* Theeyaattam * Mohiniyattam...
- Kerala KalamandalamKerala KalamandalamKerala Kalamandalam , lately renamed as Kalamandalam Deemed University of Art and Culture, is a major centre for learning Indian performing arts, especially those that developed in the southern state of India, with the special emphasis on Kerala. It is situated in the village of Cheruthuruthy in...
- TheyyamTheyyamTheyyam or Theyyattam or Thira is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu area Theyyam or Theyyattam or Thira is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu...
- Thidambu NrithamThidambu NrithamThidambu Nritham is a ritual dance performed in Temples of North Malabar. This is one among many rich art traditions of North Malabar. It is mainly performed by Namboothiris, and rarely other Brahmin communities....
- KolkaliKolkaliKolkali is a folk art performed in North Malabar region of Kerala State in south India. The dance performers move in a circle, striking small sticks and keeping rhythm with special steps. The circle expands and contracts as the dance progress...
- List of Kerala State Government Organizations