A BRIEF ANALYSIS ABOUT FOLKLORE CULTURE OF KARNATAKA

KANNADALITERATURE

Folklores, as the word suggests, are lore of the folks or stories of the people. These myths are traditional, ancient, and have a moral aspect to them. These stories are told by natives of a culture who would narrate them spontaneously as if they came directly from the heart. They have strong and loud messages for the people. They come from a place of experience into existence purely intending to assimilate values, wisdom, and culture, especially for the next generation. Besides stories, cultures all over the world have composed poems and ballads, all culminating in contributing to the history of the native people. Folklores offer a glimpse back in time, unveiling the history, lifestyles, and traditions of the ancestors of that setting. Nearly every cultural practice that is imbibed in a particular society has classical roots that can be credited to stories, songs, and poems. Be it to induce fear and morality in children or to keep the criminals of a village in check or even to synergize a harmonious society. Folklores were narrated, some based on real-life instances and some based on myths. South India is no stranger to this traditional conception. Growing up in South India meant hearing stories about ‘goggayya‘, a night wanderer whose face was masked from the world. He had a famed reputation as someone who kidnaped children who refused to sleep on time and took them somewhere far away from their parents and grandparents. I always imagined this man as the Indian version of The Babadook. Karnataka has a rich folklore repository, such as ballads, riddles, legends, stories, proverbs, dance forms, customs, cuisines, festivals, sports, and medicinal remedies. Janapada Loka is another such museum that encourages folklore culture by showcasing artifacts and antiques. The artefacts include agricultural hunting and fishing implements, weapons, household gadgets, masks, dolls, and shadow puppets. This museum also gives guests a taste of traditional food and a glimpse into the rural culture. As a means of entertainment, reconstruction of regional history, and rediscovery of lost words in a language and knowledge of traditional cuisine, sports, medicine, and sciences, folklore has contributed passionately to the formation of today’s Karnataka.

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