The folk media like theatre plays, songs, puppets, storytelling or other traditional forms of entertainment has gained popularity in certain pockets of the country inspite of existence of modern information technologies. Since folk media involves substantial participation of rural audience the emphasis on learning can be increased. Moreover, folk media fits closely to the local cultural patterns where the members identify themselves with the players and their emotions get reflected in the players which bring the audience closer to the situation. The method thus helps to arouse interest and get motivated to adopt change. The audience also tends to gain confidence in message because the nature of communication takes place in a form they are used to, in their dialect and from the people whom they know.
The media should be used with care in those situations only where the players thoroughly understand the local culture otherwise it can have negative effect on audience. Moreover, the folk media should be used to compliment the modern media and not to compete with modern media. Folk songs and other traditional forms of entertainment can be broadcast on radio or audio cassettes can be made or shown on television by incorporating technical messages.
Participants