Kerala Folklore Academy is an

autonomous In developmental psychology and moral, political, and bioethical philosophy, autonomy, from , ''autonomos'', from αὐτο- ''auto-'' "self" and νόμος ''nomos'', "law", hence when combined understood to mean "one who gives oneself one's ow ...

center for cultural affairs constituted by the

Government of Kerala Government of Kerala is the Subnational administrative division, subnational government of the Indian state of Kerala. The government is led by a chief minister, who selects all the other ministers. The chief minister and their most senior mini ...

and works under the Department of Cultural Affairs. It was established on 28 June 1995 to promote and project the traditional art forms of

Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...

. It is located at

Chirakkal, Kannur Chirakkal is a census town in Kannur district in the state of Kerala, India. It is a suburb of Kannur city of about 7 km away. History The Kovilakam ("Palace" in the Malayalam language) of Kolathiris, the erstwhile ruling dynasty is sit ...

. The academy brings out a

quarterly A magazine is a periodical publication, generally published on a regular schedule (often weekly or monthly), containing a variety of content. They are generally financed by advertising, purchase price, prepaid subscriptions, or by a combination ...

to promote the study and research in

folklore Folklore is shared by a particular group of people; it encompasses the traditions common to that culture, subculture or group. This includes oral traditions such as tales, legends, proverbs and jokes. They include material culture, ranging ...

, and has published more than 25 books on the

folklore of Kerala The culture of Kerala has developed over the past millennia, influences from other parts of India and abroad.

. It also produced a book about 100 folk art forms of Kerala and two dictionaries, one on

Chavittu Nadakam Chavittu Nadakam (Malayalam:ചവിട്ടുനാടകം) is a highly colorful Latin Christian classical art form originated in Ernakulam district, Kerala state in India. Commonly believed that Fort Kochi is the birthplace of Chavittu ...

and another on Beary language.

History

The institution was formed under the Travancore Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration act of 1955. It began functioning on 20 January 1996, to impart training in folk arts and to ensure ongoing efforts in their development, promotion and perpetuation. In 2003, the State Government handed over the waterside palace of the Chirakkal kings, at Chirakkal, to the academy to use as their headquarters. Former secretary of the academy, M. Pradeep Kumar says, "the academy, recently in its study and analysis, have identified various other folklore art forms which are a part of our rich cultural heritage. ''Brahmini Paattu'', ''Chaatt Paattu'', ''Chakra Paattu'', ''Kadal Vanchi Paattu'' and the tribal songs are the recent additions to the folklore art. There are different types of tribal and traditional songs. The tribal songs of each ‘Ooru’ (a

tribal colony The term tribe is used in many different contexts to refer to a category of human social group. The predominant worldwide usage of the term in English is in the discipline of anthropology. This definition is contested, in part due to conflic ...

) are different. There are nearly 1000 folk art forms existing in Kerala, which have been passed on from generation to generation."

Awards

The academy awards prizes and

fellow A fellow is a concept whose exact meaning depends on context. In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements. Within the context of higher education ...

ships to notable artistes and experts in the field of folklore. The fellowships comprise 15000 each and citation. The folklore awards and ''book award'' carries 7500 and citation. The ''Gurupooja'' and ''Yuvaprathibha'' award winners will get 5000 each and citation. P. K. Kalan Award P. K. Kalan award was instituted in 2008, in the name of former academy chairman, Gaddika artist and

social activist Activism (or Advocacy) consists of efforts to promote, impede, direct or intervene in Social change, social, Political campaign, political, economic or Natural environment, environmental reform with the desire to make Social change, changes i ...

P. K. Kalan. It is awarded for contributions to the field of folk art forms. It comprises a cash prize of 100,000, a certificate and a statuette.

References

External links

* {{Music of Kerala Culture of Kerala Arts of Kerala Arts organisations based in India Performing arts in India Organisations based in Kerala Music organisations based in India Kerala folklore 1995 establishments in Kerala Arts organizations established in 1995