Folklore Studies Network (FSN) Invites You to the Third Talk of the Young Folklorists’ Talk Series
Title: Resonance of Resistance: Unveiling the Subversive Power of Jhumur Song Cultures of Purulia
Abstract:
Jhumur songs of Purulia are intricately woven with rhythms and melodies that resonate with the soul. But these songs are not merely expressions of entertainment but embodied “cultures of memory.” Passed down through generations, local performers in Purulia inherit and disseminate these song traditions through speech and various gestural articulations that engage their human bodies. The lyrics of Jhumur songs, characterized by simplicity yet immense power, unveil a world often overshadowed by mainstream urban media.
This lecture aims to delve into the subversive power of Jhumur songs and attempts to explore how by creating subversive narratives that echo the lived experiences of the subjugated, Jhumur song cultures often emerge as platforms for resistance against dominant forces that have suppressed marginalized voices since ages.
Bionote:
Dr. Surama Bera is currently serving as an Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Communicative English at Asutosh College, Kolkata. She has received Ph.D. in English from Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, West Bengal. Her Ph.D. thesis focused on the folk songs of Purulia. Her area of research interest includes Performance Narratives, Folklore Studies, Cultural Studies. She has presented papers at international conferences held at University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Chulalongkorn University Bangkok and King’s College London. Her scholarly contributions extend to seven peer-reviewed journals, including two UGC CARE enlisted journals.
