Koraput: A webinar on ‘Relevance of Folklore in the Present Context’ was organized by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of the Central University of Odisha on Saturday.
Prof. Krushna Chandra Pradhan, Visiting Professor, Dept. of Odia Language and Literature delivered a lecture on the above subject as the key speaker.
Prof I Ramabrahmam, Vice-Chancellor, CUO conveyed his best wishes for a successful program and hoped the students of CUO will learn the importance of folklore in the present context.
Chairing the session Prof Sharat Kumar Palita, Dean, SBCNR, and Director, IQAC, delivered the welcome address and briefed on the meaning, features, origin, and concept of Folklore along with its relevance in the present times. Dr. Alok Baral, Head-in-Charge, Dept of Odia and Sanskrit, delivered the introductory note and explained the relevance of the topic.
Delivering his address Prof. Pradhan highlighted different features and forms of Folklore in the local as well as a global culture.
He said “Folklore always exists with local as well as in global culture. It always changes its shape from one generation to another generation. It helps individuals to correct their manners, believes and customs for building a better society”.
He also highlighted the forms of Folklore such as folk literature, folk dance, folk culture, and folk stories by giving examples of different stories and phrases of Odia literature and their importance in our day to day’s life.
He said “Folklore always carries the ethnic culture of the period which are reflected in the contemporary dance, drama, songs, and literature. Any diversion/modification in any form of folklore, its popularity, and credibility in society is affected. So folklores are identities of various cultures of a nation and it is important to understand our past in the present context and implications in a future context.
The lecture was appropriately summed up by Prof E. Raja Rao, Visiting Professor, Dept of English, whereas visiting Professors like Prof. P.S. Avadhani, Prof. Bhagabata Patro, Prof. RVK R.K. Sastri lead the interaction with the active involvement of research scholars and students.
Dr. Pradosh Kumar Swain, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Odia tendered the vote of thanks. A large number of faculty and students including PRO Dr. Phagunath Bhoi were present on this occasion and participated with great enthusiasm.
