Page 278 - Communication Processes Volume 3 Communication Culture and Confrontation

Folk Arts and Folk Artists 253

among rural people. The NGOs stepping into the role of folk artists
should be discouraged and even forbidden because they can never take
their place, moving to an alien culture with regard to literacy standards,
economic status, social relationships, etc.
As long as rural folk exist, folk forms cannot be erased from this
land. As long as the village people are there, the folk forms will be
there. The structure and text may change according to the changing
rural situation, but the folk forms will never vanish. If rural people are
healthy, only then will folk forms remain healthy.
Efforts are also needed by organizations, institutions, individuals
and researchers to raise the literacy standard, economic status, social
relations, employment opportunities and health of folk artists. I may
be able to continue my work, by not only organizing the folk artists,
but helping them raise their standard of living, and this becomes pos-
sible only with the help of Madhyam because it feeds me as an artist
1
and helps me as in my needs. It is how we help each other. And again,
Madhyam listens to us and is helping us to have an in-depth survey
covering all the aspects of the lives of folk artists in Tamil Nadu.

Note

1. Madhyam (http://www.madhyam.in) is a Bangalore-based NGO supporting
folk arts and Amala Dos’ work in particular.