A tapestry of tradition bridging different cultures

SAARC Seminars and Festivals,as organised in the past,along with craft villages,exhibitions,exchange of folk artistes,seminars,student exchanges,believes Alva,will help in the emergence of a new SAARC culture.

An academic seminar with over 50 scholars and researchers of folklore from all over the SAARC region and also Europe and Asia and folk performances celebrating living traditions and folk culture are the highlights of the festival. The theme of the seminar is ‘Folklore: Heritage and Identity in the SAARC Region’. Organised by the Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL),an apex body of SAARC,the only organisation in eight SAARC countries — India,Pakistan,Sri Lanka,Bangladesh,Bhutan,Nepal,Maldives and Afghanistan – FOSWAL’s work has been to establish people-to-people contact and build bridges of affinity across borders. “In this part of the world,cultures,languages,traditions merge and overlap and create linkages which bind in spite of the conflicts,with folklore being the most vital link as it emanates from our centuries-old historical memories,” shared Ajeet Cour,president of FOSWAL.

A culture which is not dependent on the elite,but is the culture of the folk,tribals,living and thriving and is a journey to the roots is folklore,which makes the fabric of a culture more intense and humane,was the opinion shared by delegates from Pakistan,India,Burma and Bangladesh. “Implementation and effort of the government is required,for no money is coming from anywhere. In this era of vulgar consumerism,when communities and countries feel that their local cultures are being swept away and languages are dying,it is essential that cultural connectivity is strengthened via such efforts,” added Cour,whose mission is to promote and save folk forms. Nodded Suresh Goel,Director General ICCR,“Folk links us with our past and present and is a source of culture and tradition and not only geo-political,but cultural identity and unity is what we need to strive for.”

Old barriers,added Alva,are giving way to exchanges and we need direct communication and not interpretation of our culture and identity by the West. She agreed with a Bangladeshi delegate who rued the fact that no Bangladeshi channel was aired in India. “I will write to the Information and Broadcast Minister and take the matter forward,for cultural freedom is essential,” Alva said.

The endeavour here is to not only to showcase recognised groups of artistes,but those from the grassroots,be it the saperas,the algoza players,the Malangs from Pakistan,the Panchvadyam group from Kerala et al. Catch the folk painters at work at the Plaza in Sector 17 and also view the tribal art exhibition on the lawns of the Tagore Theatre and a repertoire of music,dance and theatre till December 5.