Ethnographic Study of Langa and Bhopa Artists: Foundation for a 3D Mapping Research Lab for the Performing Arts in Rajasthan
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Rajasthan's diverse performing arts face preservation challenges amidst modern influences, with traditional practices eroding as artists turn to tourism and commercial ventures. Despite 45 distinct artist communities, comprehensive documentation is lacking, hindering preservation efforts. Our proposal addresses this gap by digitally mapping Rajasthan's performing artist communities. Through field research, interviews, and advanced 3D mapping tools, we will document artists, communities, instruments, repertoires, and socio-economic conditions, creating a comprehensive digital archive. Central to the project is developing an open-access digital platform for global access by researchers, artists, and enthusiasts, ensuring the preservation and promotion of Rajasthan's cultural heritage. Hosted at IIT Jodhpur, the project combines local and international expertise in ethnography, sociology, and digital technologies to collect, digitize, and disseminate data, bolstering Rajasthan's cultural preservation efforts. The initiative establishes a framework for ongoing research and education, with plans to expand mapping methodologies beyond Jodhpur to other regions and cultural practices.
Initial focus areas include mapping:
1. The Langas: Hereditary musicians blending Hinduism, Islam, and local traditions.
2. The Bhopas: Artist-priests of the Nayak community, renowned for the Pabuji epic.
These mappings will launch the lab and pave the way for further funding to map all 45 artist communities across Rajasthan and beyond.
Digital Preservation and Interactive Narrative Engagement with Indian Paintings
Folk stories, rich in symbols and metaphors, hold timeless wisdom. Indian storytelling traditions in particular showcase the adaptability and creativity of folk artists, reflecting our dynamic cultural heritage. However, many traditional art forms are labeled as "dying" by practitioners and audiences, facing decline due to societal shifts such as lack of patronage and urban migration. To revive these painted storytelling traditions, the project aims to trace back their societal functions. These stories are the glue that binds communities across India, forming their dynamic and multilayered DNAs. The narrative act, often performed, guides its visual representation in paintings or objects. In this project, the study the stories' roots and analyze how they shape performative elements and stylistic and visual features. The project seek to understand how narration, performance, and visual representation are foundational to community building in the Indian context. This research explores Pabuji ki Phad's unique storytelling structures, offering a distinct Indian perspective. Unlike Eurocentric narratives with predefined morals, Indian folk stories encourage audience interpretation and self-reflection, empowering listeners.
As a starting point for this pan-India preservation project, the focus is on a few folk narrative paintings from Rajasthan, particularly Pabuji ki Phad, and leverage technology to engage younger generations. By developing digital art objects like interactive paintings, video games, and new media artworks, the aim is to rejuvenate Rajasthani folk storytelling. The larger goal is to create a series of interactive digital art objects, allowing users to engage with and rearrange episodes of traditional narrative paintings. This approach fosters dialogue between the younger generation and traditional knowledge, ensuring the preservation and relevance of our cultural heritage. It also revives communal narrative experiences, promoting community building and social engagement among young people worldwide.