Seventh International Conference on Tourism & Leisure Studies

Abstract

Kerala is known for its rich folklore and diversities of traditional practices, and a list of folk forms such as Theyyam, Thira, Duffmutt, Padayani, Kolkkali, Ghadika, Pulikkali, etc., are already quite popular among the people for various reasons including aesthetic appeal. And Kerala is a place where folklore activities can be appropriated for the promotion of tourism and leisure activities, and considering the nature of tourism and leisure activities prevalent in the state as well as the structural settings already available, the popular notion of public folklore, use of folklore in the induced settings, can be considered as appropriate and viable for sustainable activity. Further, the exceptional condition that is available in the state, that is, the appreciation and appropriation of both tradition and modernity, the available public spaces can be seen as platforms where folklore activities can be envisaged, and through which both the cultural materials of tangible and intangible in nature can be utilized for the promotion of tourism as well as the development of communities that are in possession of the traditions. Though public folklore as a separate branch of folklore has not been quite popular in the Indian context, it can be suitably adopted in a way that reciprocally gives benefit to both the communities as well as to the tourism promotion activities. In addition, this paper explores the possibility of giving space for academic activities in the proposed model of public folklore that will help the discipline of folklore to develop into the next level.