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Research Paper | Cultural and Literary Studies | India | Volume 13 Issue 10, October 2024 | Rating: 6 / 10
Cultural Amnesia: Revival of Lost Art Forms of India: An Analytical Study of Three Dormant Dance and Music Forms of India and Efforts for their Revival
Abstract: India, rich in cultural legacy, is home to a diverse range of art forms that have shaped its history. However, several of these art forms have faced extinction over time. As a grade 12 student studying in Modern School, Barakhambha Road, New Delhi, I have often wondered if we are missing out on important parts of our rich legacy just because we are not trying hard enough to learn about them. With most of my peers in school and other prestigious schools in New Delhi leaning toward emulating the western world, who amongst us will be responsible to keep our heritage, art, history, music and dance alive for our future generations? My background is diverse. My paternal ancestors hail from the Kumaon region nestled in the foothills of the majestic Himalayas, while my maternal side has both the North Indian and South Indian influences. I have grown up with an exposure to Indian art, theatre, music and dance. Family functions have been full of relatives telling us children?s stories, tales and anecdotes about our rich cultural heritage. But how many of us have actually had such an environment in our early formative years? While we may know some stories of our rich cultural heritage, it is critical that we look deeper into the lesser - known creative forms that have gradually faded away over time. Several factors have contributed to their decline, including the traditional nature of these arts, where skills were passed down from generation to generation. Unfortunately, numerous artists have been impelled to abandon their craft due to fiscal constraints and other unforeseen reasons, leading to their eventual demise. However, this is not the only reason for their decline; there are several other unseen factors at play in this scenario. Fortunately, there has been a revitalization of interest in these long - forgotten cultural traditions, with effort underway to resuscitate and conserve them. Resurrecting a lost form in the field of art and culture is analogous to resurrecting a piece of history. It symbolizes the persistence and determination of artists, communities, and music, dance, art & culture enthusiasts who refuse to let these treasures fade away. We shall look at some of these neglected dance and music forms of India that are being revitalized in this research.
Keywords: Indian cultural heritage, forgotten art forms, cultural revival, traditional art, heritage preservation
Edition: Volume 13 Issue 10, October 2024,
Pages: 85 - 109