Need for broad based patronage to ensure growth, survival of folk art forms, says Karnataka minister

MANGALURU: Folk art forms that are rich part of Indian culture hitherto flourished under royal patronage. Now this onerous task is left to philanthropists, patrons who are culturally inclined and like-minded people and the government, noted R V Deshpande, minister for major industries and infrastructure development, inaugurating the 12th Janapada Sanchara programme organized by the Kerala Gadinadu unit of Karnataka Janapada Parishat at Bekuru near here on Sunday.
At times when humanity, magnanimity of heart and other values are slowly on the decline and where personal greed on the upswing, it is natural that interest for arts and development of culture takes the back seat, Deshpande averred.Humanity will be on a strong footing in place where there is respect for art, artists along with cultural heritage, he said, adding the process of drawing in the youth towards arts, folklore and making them understand the same should also go on.
Such process on initiating people into the finer aspects of culture rather than remain in government document should be implemented practically, he said lauding the initiative taken by the Gadinadu unit in organizing ‘Janapada Sanchara’ is worth emulating by all concerned. The state government will take steps to ensure that such initiatives are supported so that more people are made aware of the rich cultural heritage of a place and such awareness leads to its protection.
Pichalli Srinivas, president of Karnataka Janapada Academy, chief guest stressed on the need to scientifically document folk art forms, said the Janapada Academy has already initiated a string of programmes in this regard. One should not fear that our traditions will disappear in the modern day system, he said adding that the lead taken by villagers to preserve and protect such traditions and culture, albeit not in a conscious manner, is the specialty of the nation.