Abstract:
The research project entitled" Influence of Farming Culture on the Folk
arts and Rituals of North Malabar region of Kerala state" had the following as
its objectives, viz; to study the overall influence of fanning culture on folk arts
and rituals, to identify the specific elements as influenced by farming culture,
to assess their scientific rationale and to analyze the locational and contextual
differences in folklore elements, if any. The study was conducted in the apt
location for the purpose, 'Kolathunadu' , which is hailed to be the repository of
folk art forms and rituals in the available literature.
The study followed an exploratory research design with much scope of
flexibility in the data collection process, since the methods involved were
participatory appraisals, oral history narrations, expert opinions, observations,
etc. The qualitative data gathered through these methods were again subjected
to qualitative analysis and the findings were put to test their rationality by
experts in the fields of folklore, agriculture and allied sectors. The conclusion
thus reached, or the observations made rather, throw light upon the strong
bonds between farming culture and the folk arts and rituals. They further pave
way for furtherance of the research in future by probing deeper into several
aspects left untouched to this date.
The study reveals that most folk art forms like Theyyam, Chimmaankkali
etc. have evidently been originated from an ancient agrarian society, which had
a deep rooted stand in farming culture. The lyrics of their songs, the content of
their myth, the season of the performance - all show the strong bond with
farming culture. To the negative side, folk arts and rituals had once upon a time
catered to protect the feudal agrarian relations. But still, another plus point of
these rituals in connection with farming culture is that they prompt the public
to conserve the ecosystems may be through superstitions, taboos, etc. By hook
or crook, they promote eco-friendly farming, supplementing our endeavor
towards a "Greener Kerala".
