History & Background
Buda Folklore is a living testament to the rich cultural and ecological heritage of Uttara Kannada. Built on over three decades of intense fieldwork and research, we are dedicated to bridging the timeless wisdom of local communities with the modern world. Our work celebrates the diversity, resilience, and ingenuity of the region’s people, their traditions, and their relationship with nature.
We believe that reconnecting with cultural heritage and ecological diversity can lead to sustainability, resilience, and a more harmonious future.
Our Values
At Buda Folklore, we believe:
Cultural diversity is deeply tied to ecological diversity.
Local wisdom is invaluable. The food we eat, the crafts we make, and the stories we share are essential to our cultural identity and sustainability.
Education Must Go Beyond Four Walls
The wisdom of the people and the life around the seasons are as important as academic subjects.
Every voice matters. We aim to rebuild cultural confidence by recognizing the wisdom of farmers, basket weavers, and tribal elders as equal to academic knowledge.
Our Vision
We aim to inspire individuals to:
Reclaim Cultural Imagination and Ecological Harmony: By reconnecting with the wisdom of the land and its people, we can rediscover balance and purpose.
Challenge Global Monopolies: Questioning the dominance of standardized education, lifestyles, and monoculture thinking that erases local knowledge.
Rediscover Roots: Encouraging a life of simple living, sustainable practices, and deep connection with nature and community.
What we do
After decades of extensive fieldwork, documentation, and publication of Uttara Kannada’s folklore, we are now transforming this rich heritage into immersive learning and living experiences.
We offer a long-term program called Rutu Live and Learn, spanning three seasons, to help participants explore the seasons
and to understand how these cycles influence their food, farming, and daily activities.
A week long study tours along the sea, rivers, and forests, we provide an opportunity to understand the harmony between humans and nature. Our workshops focus on forest food, foraging, basketry, weaving, and quilting, showcasing traditional skills and sustainable living practices.
As part of our mission, we are reviving forgotten farming traditions like jaggery-making, kokum butter production, and the preservation of hairloom paddy seeds. These practices highlight the resilience and wisdom of traditional agriculture while supporting local economies and promoting sustainability.
We also invite interns researchers to revisit our documentation and delve deeper into the cultural heritage of this region.
By connecting people to the cultural and ecological heritage of the region, we aim to revive traditional practices, promote forest produce, and inspire a more conscientious society that values heritage, sustainability, and harmonious living.
Our mission
Folklore Resource Center
We are building a one-of-a-kind center dedicated to documenting and archiving the folklore of Uttara Kannada.
Preserving Tribal and Community Knowledge
We collaborate with local tribes, basket weavers, farmers, and artisans as resource persons to ensure their skills and knowledge are valued and passed down to future generations. These community members are at the heart of our efforts to sustain and revive local traditions.
Creating Spaces for Learning
Offering immersive opportunities for individuals to understand the folklore
This space will house a museum, library, and archives to serve as a hub for learning and cultural revival.
Forest Ecology Center
It will focus on:
Learning from the ecology of the region through fieldwork and community experiences
Food ,Forest and Ecology : The symbiotic relationship between people and the forest
Reimagining Education
We challenge the global monoculture of education by questioning:
“Whose knowledge8 matters?”
The displacement of local wisdom, food culture, and diverse ways of knowing
Join Us
Buda Folklore is more than an organization—it is a way of life to weave life with nature, restore the literacy of the land, and create a space for cultural and ecological revival. Whether you’re a student, researcher, or someone seeking to reconnect with their roots, Buda Folklore welcomes you to be a part of this transformative journey.