Valedictory function for the month long international workshop on field work and documentation of “Koti Chennaya and Siri Rituals” jointly organised by Universitat Wurzburg Germany, National Folklore Support Centre in Chennai, Regional Resource Centre for Folk Performing Arts (RRC) in Udupi, MGM College and Academy of General Education in Manipal was held here at the Nutana Ravindra Mantap at MGM College on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Peter J Claus from USA said “though folklore is a rich culture, it has been marginalised owing to commercialisation and globalisation” and informed that the present workshop is the upgraded version of the field work and documentation as urban intellectuals and academicians from both India and Germany have pooled up to explore the rural areas of the district for the documentation of Koti Chennaya and Siri rituals.
As many as 1,500 photos, 20 video graphs and 1,126 items of folklore have been excavated by the experts, Dr Claus added.
Prof Heidrun Brueckner from Germany opined that information technology, commercialisation and mass media proved debacle for the spread of folklore culture throughout the world.
Folklore is not inferior to any art form, he said and insisted for the creation of global network to spread folklore culture.
Registrar of AGE K K Pai, Principal of MGM College Dr Jayprakash Mavinkuli and Director of RRC H Krishna Bhat were present.
