Workshops

BuDa Folklore offers workshops that are based on research and local wisdom of the Uttar Kannada region. These workshops are an outcome of vast fieldwork and over 3 decades of research and documentation. However, these are not like the usual hobby classes; they come with stories, cultural heritage and wisdom of the tribes and communities of this region. The knowledge belongs solely to this region and we invite participants who respect, value and are sensitive towards this interaction with the community of artisans.

These artistic creations are archetypal symbols of the human consciousness. They have been passed down to us from generations through trackless centuries and although the local people create them, they have the power and the pedigree of an entire tradition behind them.

It is easy to manipulate these art forms and use it for personal commercial benefits without acknowledging and giving due credit to the local artisans and community, and it is simply unacceptable if you overlook this while attending the BuDa workshops. On the condition that each participant grants and recognises the work of the artisans, we welcome you with open arms!

Quilting Workshop

Colourful scraps of cloth are creatively sewn into attractive geometric patterns with simple stitches that weave a story of cultural diversity and lines that speak for a design’s originality. Not only are these quits eye-catching, but also speak for a whole community of people for whom quilting is a way of life, an art that gives expression to their dreams, desires, creativity and culture.

Nirmal Akka is a master artisan associated with Buda Folklore for over a decade. Her traditional quilt making technique in which she weaves narratives passed down from previous generations is a popular workshop at BuDa. We share her artistry in the ‘Kawdi’ craft in the form of this interactive and fun workshop. Participants will not only learn the weaving techniques and patterns but also experience the heritage and customs that this age-old form of memory keeping provides.

To offer each person the space and time to connect with their own memories and meanings through this art, we limit participation to 12 people.

Weaving Skills and Techniques

Mat and Basket weaving is an ancient craft that incorporates many materials and weaving styles. It is just as much a creative process as it is calming, social and meditative. Unfortunately, this tradition of handmade baskets and mats is ending. Any kind of artisanship on the verge of extinction leads to an irreversible void in history. For, it represents a culture and a community that has fostered it. Through this workshop, we attempt to throw light on this disappearing craft and hope to revive it.

Mats Interestingly the raw materials and techniques used for weaving mats vary from landscape to landscape within the region. The riverside tribes use river reed, the forest tribes use wild palm leaves and the sea tribes use thorny plant leaves.

For interested participants, we introduce these three kinds of eco-friendly mats and the varied weaving skills required for each. Working with this craft and the community is a great way to understand and nurture diversity.

Baskets
Farmers mainly weave their baskets, containers and ropes with cane, foraging wild vines or fibres of plants. With the Forest Department banning the harvest of cane and plastic being the cheaper option, the raw form of basket weaving is disappearing.

We have the privilege of knowing and working with the last generation of skilled basket weavers. Eshwaranna teaches basketry to the participants at BuDa by coming up with new innovations to suit the taste of the contemporary world while simultaneously keeping the traditional essence alive.

Folk Art

The beautiful folk art is not just an adornment but also a visual prayer. In them reside knowledge, ancient memory and a powerful energy. In this region, art and motifs are ritualistic in nature. These art forms also vary from different places and communities.

Every community and tribe has a distinct and unique style and dedicated meaning for their art. While the river tribe calls their art style “Hasagara or Shedi” used during occasions and festivities, the art of the Halakki tribe revolves around agriculture and ‘Suggi’, the harvest festival and the forest tribes have very different motifs and art expression. The brush, colours and materials are specific to every art style and they are naturally derived from the place where the art belongs.

We offer the folk art workshops for those who are looking to restore ancient art forms and eager to discover traditional art methods as a study. All art forms will be studied and experienced with the stories and rituals behind their inception. Learn this region’s folk art from the local elderly women of the tribal community.

Local Traditional Drinks

What traditional drinks do Indian summers remind you of? Aam Panna, Sol Kadi, Tambulis and Kokum Sharbat – each region created its own way of questing thirst with the local produce that was at their disposal.

In the Uttar Kannada region, aromatic roots, skin/bark of tree trunks (wood), seeds, pulses and leaves are the homegrown ingredients of traditional drinks & food culture. Besides being therapeutic and beneficial to health they are delicious and better than any bottled preservative drinks.

In the course of this workshop, we attempt to revive some of the forgotten taste, smell and nutrition of our indigenous summer cooling drink culture. This workshop will make you aware of the rapid disappearance of local food culture and knowledge. Whether or not these recipes are able to compete with the wide range of modern fizzy-drinks or have not been passed on to the next generation, they have become crucial to this region’s identity.

Forgotten Recipes & Culinary Trails

Rediscover forgotten recipes and the lost art of local traditional cooking with us. The objective for initiating culinary workshops was to bring to the city audience aromas from the kitchens of the Uttar Kannada region.

Experience tasty and nutritious recipes before they die out competing with instant ready-mixes and fast foods. Rekindle memories of the yore with community cooking, tickle the grey cells of the elders and village folk for heirloom recipes and showcase traditional kitchen gadgets and their superb engineering in comparison to the electric gadgets that have flooded the market.