Mysuru: Former Folklore University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ambalike Hiriyanna has said that intellectuals should make efforts to end cultural and religious superstition in folk arts.

He was speaking at ‘World Folklore Day-2017’ organised jointly by SDM College and Kannada Janapada Parishat at MMK&SDM College in Krishnamurthypuram here recently.

Pointing out that most of the European countries have an exclusive museum for folk arts and literature, he regretted that our country lacked in folk collection.

Highlighting the need for conserving our folk arts, literature and culture for the benefit of our future generations, he stressed on the need for introducing folk arts that are free from all sorts of superstitions to the youth.

Noting that folk is literature of the working class, Prof. Hiriyanna regretted that the change in lifestyle of tribals had resulted in folk language fast losing its identity.

Maintaining that the ‘One Language One Nation’ concept proposed by the Union Government posed a serious threat to the existence of native languages, he expressed concern over folk art losing its sheen in the wake of urbanisation and changing life styles.

Kamsale artistes Marigowda and Kumaraswamy of Rayanahundi in the taluk, were felicitated on the occasion.

SDM College Principal Prof. Sainath Malligemadu, Kannada Janapada Parishat Working President Dr. S. Balaji, former Mayor Purushottam, Dr. Kanaka Tara, H. Kyatanahalli Prakash, Besur Mohan Palegar, Ganesh Kumaraswamy, Dr. Vinoda and others were present.