Ranchi, Jan 13: Experts, researchers of folklore and indigenous culture from universities spread over different parts of the world today gathered at Central University of Jharkhand as eight-day programme titled "Tradition, Creativity and Indigenous Knowledge: Winter School of International Folkloristics and Indigenous Culture" began today.

The Winter School, first of its kind being held in the country, saw participants from from China, Estonia, Ireland, Italy, Denmark and United States besides different universities in India.

Patron of the Winter School, vice chancellor of CUJ Prof Darlando T Khathing thanked all delegates and informed that the Central University of Jharkhand always stresses the study of culture as thrust area and its four Centres for: Indigenous Culture, Tribal and Customary Law, Music and Performing Art and Ttribal Folklore Language and Literature bear testimony to the varsitys commitment.

Being new university we look forward to your guidance, advice and valuable interaction which, we hope will contribute to the building of the campus, Prof Khathing told the delegates.

 

The delegates scheduled to take part in the Winter School comprised Li Ansiqi, Sichuan University, China P. R, Madis Arukask, University of Tartu, Estonia, Solony Bareh, Nongtalang College, India, Guinvere Barlow, University of Limerick, Ireland, Purabi Baruah, North Eastern Hill University, India, Supriyama Basumatary, Gauhati University, India, Stefano Beggiora, Ca';Foscari University of Venice, Italy, Kishore Bhattacharjee, Gauhati University, India, Carlo A. Cubero, Tallinn University, Estonia, Pallavi Dutta, Gauhati University, India, Marje Ermel, Tallinn University, Estonia, Lidia Guzy, University College Cork, Ireland, Reet Hiieme, University of Tartu, Estonia, C.K. Jisha, Central University of Jharkhand, India, Kelli Kaarep, University of Tartu, Estonia, Gitu Rani Kalita, Gauhati University, India, Nilly Lepcha Karthak, North Eastern Hill University, India, Tolheishel Khaling, Central University of Jharkhand, India, Ranibala Devi Khumukcham, Manipur University, India, T. Neishoning Koireng, Central University of Jharkhand, India, Margaret Lyngdoh, University of Tartu, Estonia, Mridusmita Mahanta, Sonapur College/Gauhati University, India, Merili Metsvahi, University of Tartu, Estonia, G. Badaiasuklang L. Nonglait, North Eastern Hill University, India, Ramshang Kasar Pamri, North Eastern Hill University, India, M. Ramakrishnan, Central University of Jharkhand, India, Upasana Ray, Jamshedpur Womens College, Kolhan University, India, A. K. Sharma, Central University of Jharkhand, India, Rabindranath Sarma, Central University of Jharkhand, India, Claire Scheid, University College Cork, Ireland, Sudhanshu Shekhar, Central University of Jharkhand, India, Pihla Maria Siim, University of Tartu, Estonia, Uwe Skoda, Aarhus University, Denmark, Harekrishna Talukdar, Central University of Jharkhand, India, Dharamsing Teron, Karbi Cultural Society (KCS), India, lo Valk, University of Tartu, Estonia and William Westerman, Macaulay Honors College, City University of New York/Goucher College, Baltimore, U.S.A.

Organised by the Centre for Tribal Folklore, Language and Literature (CUJ) and the Department of Estonian and Comparative Folklore (University of Tartu, Estonia) in co-operation with the Centre of Excellence in Cultural Theory (CECT), the winter school is aimed at bringing together doctoral students, junior and senior scholars from different countries to discuss the relationship between tradition and creativity, stability and change in folklore and vernacular cultures past and present.

Since the meeting is being held in Jharkhand, a region that abounds with the indigenous peoples of India, special attention will be paid to the indigenous peoples of the world and their traditional knowledge expressed in worldviews, belief systems, poetic and narrative genres, arts and practices of everyday life.

Prof Valk, Estonia (Europe) said holding the winter school at the Central University of Jharkhand has become possible, thanks to the support of Prof Khathing.

Dr Rabindranath Sharma, Head of Centre for Tribal Folklore, Language and Literature (CUJ) said the programme would consist of dissertation, symposium, parallel session, field study and excursion.

People, tribal tradition, legends, sonic ethnography, anthropology of sound and music, changing ways collecting folklore, religious belief are among many more topic that would undergo threadbare discussion by folklorists here.

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