Folk arts are broadly classified into folk songs and folk dance
Folk songs
Folk Songs are the spontaneous, meaningful expression of the village folk tuned to a very simple, melodious music which is very much characteristic to each area. Folk songs are sung at many occasions like marriage, birth, death or at work. These songs convey to us the aesthetic sense of people. The unique feature about them is that they belong to the community. Drama is an art, serving feast for the eyes, ears and mind simultaneously. It not only amuses but also instructs the audience. Dance and drama had not been identified as two different arts during early days.
The villagers have a great fascination for their folk songs. We go closer to them if we participate with them and organize such functions during exhibitions, meeting, film shows, drama, etc. Songs connected with agriculture and rural development programmes and practices in local dialects can be composed and sung easily as they also provide entertainment. This is a good way of conveying information to the villagers. Song competitions can also be arranged.
Some audio cassettes produced by the Punjab Agricultural University are also based on some common songs entitled as Balliye Kanak Diye. It was well-received by the villagers as it contains information on various aspects of wheat cultivation, a major crop of North India, blended with rich folk music. The other cassette is Khiran Kapah Narme. In this, information about cotton is given in an attractive manner. Folk songs should have local time, tone and dialogue.
They are a good source of attracting the people and as such help extension programmes indirectly. They are part of cultural programme. The monotony of discussion of serious nature in a meeting can be broken by light songs. The song should be composed on the subjects which are to be communicated to the people. They should be in the form of a story with some moral. The tune of the song should be popular and local to which the villagers are accustomed to. It will always be preferred if the song has just one message to convey. A few words by way of explanation will be appreciated before singing is started. The song can be followed with a little more explanations of its theme. Seasoned singers are liked by everybody but new voices are also welcome.
Folk dance
Folk Dancing is the characteristic dancing of the people of a country or state; some are very ancient and have their origin in the history of the nation. They contain special steps and gestures that have deep meaning to members of that group. Dancing is accompanied by singing and music and the dancers take different forms while dancing.
During the harvesting season and festivals, folk dances are aroused in the villages as they are helpful in collecting the people. The youth present Bhangra during the harvesting period. The folk dances reveal not only the individual talents of the people but the collective traditions of all the countries, the characteristics of the community and a love for rhythm.
Folk dances are mainly grouped under three heads
Community folk dances held on the main religious festivals, social occasions, Kisan Melas and other occasions when special agricultural activities are carried out;
Folk dances' are also preserved by hereditary, professional families and groups who perform at birth, betrothal and marriage ceremonies in the villages;
Participants