In today's globalized world with increasing diversity, equality faces many challenges. From the ... more In today's globalized world with increasing diversity, equality faces many challenges. From the controversies over the caste system, racism, and gender divide, to economic poverty, environmental inequalities and unequal power distribution, there has arisen fervor around the globe to address these issues. Many policies have been worked upon in the past years by various political bodies and organizations on a global scale to promote equality in diversity but with little success. The current pandemic has made the situation even worse. The limited gains that we had made, are at a risk of being rolled back. Literature has served as an inspiration to humankind and has been our hope in times of utter darkness and despair. From Petrarch to Tagore and further in our times, almost all literary giants have motivated us to embrace humanism, as it is a powerful weapon against vices such as inequality and intolerance. Writing about his philosophy of life, Rabindranath Tagore, inspired by the holy Upanishads, wrote in one of his early hymns: "to see the Lord of the World in this World, and the Universal Soul in the Individual Soul". This paper discusses the role and significance of literature in creating a humane and tolerant society through literary works such as Tagore's Geetanjali (1910) and Ibram X. Kendi’s recent book How to be an Antiracist, the former serving as an inspiration and the latter as a tool to fight inequality and perhaps both serving as guides not only for the general people but also for the policymakers around the globe.
Keywords: diversity, tolerance, equality, racism, humanism, Geetanjali
Journal of Higher Education & Resarch Society, 2020
Before the rise of civilization, life amidst nature was a constant struggle for survival. With th... more Before the rise of civilization, life amidst nature was a constant struggle for survival. With the passage of time, people learned to survive in harmony with nature, taking only what was essential. Everything in nature was significant and estimable and was exalted by these Pagans in the form of folktales and folk songs. Worshipping forests, grooves, animals and streams not only created a bond between these men and their environment leading to their spiritual evolution, but also resulted in environmental conservation. It was the divine forms of nature which protected their family, farms, livestock and villages from harm and presided over their humble activities.The significance of literature can be traced back ever since Plato banished poets from his imaginary Republic for encouraging effeminacy through their poems. Since literature plays a pivotal role in shaping reality, this paper is an attempt to show how various forms of Pagan Literature contributed in increasing the levels of sensitivity and respect amongst people for their environment. It also examines the rise of Neo-Pagan cults and explores the possibility of a different world, had Paganism been practised as a way of life today by the majority of world population.
Providing children with the education that empowers them and makes them ready to deal with critic... more Providing children with the education that empowers them and makes them ready to deal with critical life challenges, is much more than just raising them right. It is about raising the next generation of adults, for children are the society we will become. The early years of a child's life are the most crucial years for developing his/her cognitive skills, and therefore it is very important to provide them with holistic education right from their early years. Folklores are a great resource to teachers, and since ancient times have been the medium through which wisdom and knowledge are passed from one generation to another. Along with cultural knowledge and wisdom, they reflect significant psychological issues such as sibling rivalry, child-parent relationships, and puberty issues which play a crucial role in a child's mental well-being. Most of the challenges that face our society today, such as poor mental health, crime, and addiction are all a result of a difficult childhood. Reinforcing a sense of security in classrooms by encouraging students to come up with their interpretations of various mythological tales and folklore right from their early years can play a huge role in not only developing children's confidence and critical thinking skills but also in their mental well-being which would further determine the well-being and happiness of an entire society. Despite their immense psychological value, folklore remains underutilized. They are either reinterpreted or repressed and seldom included in the academic curriculum as a result of which they are slowly dying out.
This paper explores the role of folklores in the cognitive development of children and suggests some ways in which folklores may be included in the school curriculum to provide children with holistic education focusing on their all-round development.
Sanglap: Journal of Literary and Cultural Inquiry, 2024
The oral culture of the Central Himalayan region of Kumaun survives mainly due to its folk songs... more The oral culture of the Central Himalayan region of Kumaun survives mainly due to its folk songs, which represent the true spirit of Kumauni life by reflecting the daily struggles, beliefs and superstitions, customs and rituals, and the popular legends and myths of the region. However, there are a variety of folk songs which are sung on specific occasions and have a particular social function. In the following paper, we have attempted to present the translations of some of these popular folk ritual songs called the Shakunakharas.
Shakunakhara literally translates to “auspicious utterance.” These ritual folk songs, usually sung by women, mark the initiation of major life samskaras, such as childbirth, naming ceremony, thread ceremony, and marriage. Local gods, village deities, ancestors, and kin are invited to partake in the festivities, and their blessings are sought. Apart from the ritual and cultural significance, Shakunakharas also allude to the values of reverence for nature and its resources, sustainable living, and environmental conservation.
Due to geographical and political seclusion, the Central Himalayan region of Kumaun has also faced cultural isolation for a very long time. This perhaps can be attributed to its exclusion from the 8th schedule of our Constitution and its integration with Hindi culture and language, making it more urgent to translate, document, digitise, and archive Kumauni folklore.
Our work is dedicated to translating as closely as possible the cultural nuances associated with these ritual folk songs(Shakunakharas)by remaining faithful to their original meaning. This will present before the readers a glimpse of the cultural and religious beliefs of the Kumauni community and, in doing so, will further reveal the socio-psychological constructs of Kumauni folk life and its people. Various translation techniques are used, some of which include foreignisation, compensation, borrowing, and literary amplification.
In the following translations, the use of various literary devices is evident. Repetition, a characteristic of folksongs that enhances the rhythm and flow, can also be seen in various places. This has been deliberately done to keep the musical traits of the Shakunakharas intact.
Journal of Higher Education and Research Society: A Refereed International , 2024
The Central Himalayan region of Kumaun is a land which has stirred the imagination of people sinc... more The Central Himalayan region of Kumaun is a land which has stirred the imagination of people since time immemorial, by virtue of the diverse range of prevalent oral traditions and customs. However, this region has suffered prolonged cultural isolation owing to its geographical position, and also on account of the inclusion of Kumauni language and culture with Hindi. This sentiment has been shared by various Kumauni artists, scholars, and academicians who attempted to integrate Kumauni oral traditions and culture with cosmopolitan popular culture by translating and adapting the oral narratives, leading to changing the dynamics of folklores considerably in the popular culture world. The integration of oral narratives into the popular culture with the change of context and structure, through films, comics, songs, games, literature, etc., has led to the emergence of the genre of folkloresque, which has further challenged the traditional perspectives and predefined social and cultural constructs. This paper attempts to examine the emergence of folkloresque in various genres of Kumauni folklores, as they find their way into the popular culture through translations and adaptations. The paper also seeks to analyse how these translations and adaptations have not only led to the preservation, popularisation, and digitalisation of folklores, but they have also challenged the traditional perspectives in which the oral narratives and traditions were viewed, thereby creating liminal cultural spaces leading to a growing sense of cultural ambiguity.
In today's globalized world with increasing diversity, equality faces many challenges. From the ... more In today's globalized world with increasing diversity, equality faces many challenges. From the controversies over the caste system, racism, and gender divide, to economic poverty, environmental inequalities and unequal power distribution, there has arisen fervor around the globe to address these issues. Many policies have been worked upon in the past years by various political bodies and organizations on a global scale to promote equality in diversity but with little success. The current pandemic has made the situation even worse. The limited gains that we had made, are at a risk of being rolled back. Literature has served as an inspiration to humankind and has been our hope in times of utter darkness and despair. From Petrarch to Tagore and further in our times, almost all literary giants have motivated us to embrace humanism, as it is a powerful weapon against vices such as inequality and intolerance. Writing about his philosophy of life, Rabindranath Tagore, inspired by the holy Upanishads, wrote in one of his early hymns: "to see the Lord of the World in this World, and the Universal Soul in the Individual Soul". This paper discusses the role and significance of literature in creating a humane and tolerant society through literary works such as Tagore's Geetanjali (1910) and Ibram X. Kendi’s recent book How to be an Antiracist, the former serving as an inspiration and the latter as a tool to fight inequality and perhaps both serving as guides not only for the general people but also for the policymakers around the globe.
Keywords: diversity, tolerance, equality, racism, humanism, Geetanjali
Journal of Higher Education & Resarch Society, 2020
Before the rise of civilization, life amidst nature was a constant struggle for survival. With th... more Before the rise of civilization, life amidst nature was a constant struggle for survival. With the passage of time, people learned to survive in harmony with nature, taking only what was essential. Everything in nature was significant and estimable and was exalted by these Pagans in the form of folktales and folk songs. Worshipping forests, grooves, animals and streams not only created a bond between these men and their environment leading to their spiritual evolution, but also resulted in environmental conservation. It was the divine forms of nature which protected their family, farms, livestock and villages from harm and presided over their humble activities.The significance of literature can be traced back ever since Plato banished poets from his imaginary Republic for encouraging effeminacy through their poems. Since literature plays a pivotal role in shaping reality, this paper is an attempt to show how various forms of Pagan Literature contributed in increasing the levels of sensitivity and respect amongst people for their environment. It also examines the rise of Neo-Pagan cults and explores the possibility of a different world, had Paganism been practised as a way of life today by the majority of world population.
Providing children with the education that empowers them and makes them ready to deal with critic... more Providing children with the education that empowers them and makes them ready to deal with critical life challenges, is much more than just raising them right. It is about raising the next generation of adults, for children are the society we will become. The early years of a child's life are the most crucial years for developing his/her cognitive skills, and therefore it is very important to provide them with holistic education right from their early years. Folklores are a great resource to teachers, and since ancient times have been the medium through which wisdom and knowledge are passed from one generation to another. Along with cultural knowledge and wisdom, they reflect significant psychological issues such as sibling rivalry, child-parent relationships, and puberty issues which play a crucial role in a child's mental well-being. Most of the challenges that face our society today, such as poor mental health, crime, and addiction are all a result of a difficult childhood. Reinforcing a sense of security in classrooms by encouraging students to come up with their interpretations of various mythological tales and folklore right from their early years can play a huge role in not only developing children's confidence and critical thinking skills but also in their mental well-being which would further determine the well-being and happiness of an entire society. Despite their immense psychological value, folklore remains underutilized. They are either reinterpreted or repressed and seldom included in the academic curriculum as a result of which they are slowly dying out.
This paper explores the role of folklores in the cognitive development of children and suggests some ways in which folklores may be included in the school curriculum to provide children with holistic education focusing on their all-round development.
Sanglap: Journal of Literary and Cultural Inquiry, 2024
The oral culture of the Central Himalayan region of Kumaun survives mainly due to its folk songs... more The oral culture of the Central Himalayan region of Kumaun survives mainly due to its folk songs, which represent the true spirit of Kumauni life by reflecting the daily struggles, beliefs and superstitions, customs and rituals, and the popular legends and myths of the region. However, there are a variety of folk songs which are sung on specific occasions and have a particular social function. In the following paper, we have attempted to present the translations of some of these popular folk ritual songs called the Shakunakharas.
Shakunakhara literally translates to “auspicious utterance.” These ritual folk songs, usually sung by women, mark the initiation of major life samskaras, such as childbirth, naming ceremony, thread ceremony, and marriage. Local gods, village deities, ancestors, and kin are invited to partake in the festivities, and their blessings are sought. Apart from the ritual and cultural significance, Shakunakharas also allude to the values of reverence for nature and its resources, sustainable living, and environmental conservation.
Due to geographical and political seclusion, the Central Himalayan region of Kumaun has also faced cultural isolation for a very long time. This perhaps can be attributed to its exclusion from the 8th schedule of our Constitution and its integration with Hindi culture and language, making it more urgent to translate, document, digitise, and archive Kumauni folklore.
Our work is dedicated to translating as closely as possible the cultural nuances associated with these ritual folk songs(Shakunakharas)by remaining faithful to their original meaning. This will present before the readers a glimpse of the cultural and religious beliefs of the Kumauni community and, in doing so, will further reveal the socio-psychological constructs of Kumauni folk life and its people. Various translation techniques are used, some of which include foreignisation, compensation, borrowing, and literary amplification.
In the following translations, the use of various literary devices is evident. Repetition, a characteristic of folksongs that enhances the rhythm and flow, can also be seen in various places. This has been deliberately done to keep the musical traits of the Shakunakharas intact.
Journal of Higher Education and Research Society: A Refereed International , 2024
The Central Himalayan region of Kumaun is a land which has stirred the imagination of people sinc... more The Central Himalayan region of Kumaun is a land which has stirred the imagination of people since time immemorial, by virtue of the diverse range of prevalent oral traditions and customs. However, this region has suffered prolonged cultural isolation owing to its geographical position, and also on account of the inclusion of Kumauni language and culture with Hindi. This sentiment has been shared by various Kumauni artists, scholars, and academicians who attempted to integrate Kumauni oral traditions and culture with cosmopolitan popular culture by translating and adapting the oral narratives, leading to changing the dynamics of folklores considerably in the popular culture world. The integration of oral narratives into the popular culture with the change of context and structure, through films, comics, songs, games, literature, etc., has led to the emergence of the genre of folkloresque, which has further challenged the traditional perspectives and predefined social and cultural constructs. This paper attempts to examine the emergence of folkloresque in various genres of Kumauni folklores, as they find their way into the popular culture through translations and adaptations. The paper also seeks to analyse how these translations and adaptations have not only led to the preservation, popularisation, and digitalisation of folklores, but they have also challenged the traditional perspectives in which the oral narratives and traditions were viewed, thereby creating liminal cultural spaces leading to a growing sense of cultural ambiguity.
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Keywords: diversity, tolerance, equality, racism, humanism, Geetanjali
This paper explores the role of folklores in the cognitive development of children and suggests some ways in which folklores may be included in the school curriculum to provide children with holistic education focusing on their all-round development.
Keywords: folklores, cognitive development, mental health, psychological issues, pedagogy, holistic education
Shakunakhara literally translates to “auspicious utterance.” These ritual folk songs, usually sung by women, mark the initiation of major life samskaras, such as childbirth, naming ceremony, thread ceremony, and marriage. Local gods, village deities, ancestors, and kin are invited to partake in the festivities, and their blessings are sought. Apart from the ritual and cultural significance, Shakunakharas also allude to the values of reverence for nature and its resources, sustainable living, and environmental conservation.
Due to geographical and political seclusion, the Central Himalayan region of Kumaun has also faced cultural isolation for a very long time. This perhaps can be attributed to its exclusion from the 8th schedule of our Constitution and its integration with Hindi culture and language, making it more urgent to translate, document, digitise, and archive Kumauni folklore.
Our work is dedicated to translating as closely as possible the cultural nuances associated with these ritual folk songs(Shakunakharas)by remaining faithful to their original meaning. This will present before the readers a glimpse of the cultural and religious beliefs of the Kumauni community and, in doing so, will further reveal the socio-psychological constructs of Kumauni folk life and its people. Various translation techniques are used, some of which include foreignisation, compensation, borrowing, and literary amplification.
In the following translations, the use of various literary devices is evident. Repetition, a characteristic of folksongs that enhances the rhythm and flow, can also be seen in various places. This has been deliberately done to keep the musical traits of the Shakunakharas intact.
Keywords: diversity, tolerance, equality, racism, humanism, Geetanjali
This paper explores the role of folklores in the cognitive development of children and suggests some ways in which folklores may be included in the school curriculum to provide children with holistic education focusing on their all-round development.
Keywords: folklores, cognitive development, mental health, psychological issues, pedagogy, holistic education
Shakunakhara literally translates to “auspicious utterance.” These ritual folk songs, usually sung by women, mark the initiation of major life samskaras, such as childbirth, naming ceremony, thread ceremony, and marriage. Local gods, village deities, ancestors, and kin are invited to partake in the festivities, and their blessings are sought. Apart from the ritual and cultural significance, Shakunakharas also allude to the values of reverence for nature and its resources, sustainable living, and environmental conservation.
Due to geographical and political seclusion, the Central Himalayan region of Kumaun has also faced cultural isolation for a very long time. This perhaps can be attributed to its exclusion from the 8th schedule of our Constitution and its integration with Hindi culture and language, making it more urgent to translate, document, digitise, and archive Kumauni folklore.
Our work is dedicated to translating as closely as possible the cultural nuances associated with these ritual folk songs(Shakunakharas)by remaining faithful to their original meaning. This will present before the readers a glimpse of the cultural and religious beliefs of the Kumauni community and, in doing so, will further reveal the socio-psychological constructs of Kumauni folk life and its people. Various translation techniques are used, some of which include foreignisation, compensation, borrowing, and literary amplification.
In the following translations, the use of various literary devices is evident. Repetition, a characteristic of folksongs that enhances the rhythm and flow, can also be seen in various places. This has been deliberately done to keep the musical traits of the Shakunakharas intact.