The mention of folk arts invariably conjures up the image of villages and rustic dance forms. And urban areas with fast expanding boundaries hardly bestow thoughts to this art glorifying our culture and tradition.
Apparently, not wanting the art to languish, the Tamil Nadu Folk Artistes Welfare Board has taken up itself a Herculean task of luring the younger generation to folk arts of Tamil Nadu.
“The government has proposed to propagate about 100 traditional folk art forms through the Tamil Nadu Folk Artistes Welfare Board this year, among the younger generation,” a senior official in the art and culture department said.
This initiative, it is said, will help to pass on the heritage to the next generation. Of the 100 arts identified, 30 are in the Kongu region.
Initially, it has been planned to conduct training programmes and to create awareness. Also on the cards is to provide musical instruments, dress materials and ornaments for free to the folk artistes across the state.
“Even in villages, the affluent families invite light music orchestra troupes to perform at functions. The threat of extinction of the art is looming large owing to declining patronage,” laments Ganesan, a folk artiste. Due to decreasing opportunities for performances, many feel disoriented.
“Not many come forward to take up it up as a profession since education is providing the younger generation more employment opportunities.
Moreover, the art is difficult to practise and dancing in an aggressive manner may not suit everyone,” says Perumal.