Survey, Documentation, and Compilation

The cultural identity of Madhya Pradesh of Madhya Pradesh is established by its folk/rural regions. The culture of Madhya Pradesh is profusely enriched by its folk and tribal cultures. While on one hand, there is a magnificent synthesis of Nimadi, Malwi, Bundeli and Bagheli culture on the other, there is the wide and primeval splendor of tribal culture. The unique amalgamation of folk and tribal cultures is indeed rare.

Perhaps, no other state can display such a spontaneous synthesis. Every region is recognized for its firmly established traditions in music, dance and arts. The state has an established identity because of its variegated, multicultural folk and tribal traditions.

The academy has conducted a comprehensive survey based on the life, literature and culture of scheduled tribes and tribals namely, Gond, Baiga, Bheel, Muriya, Dandami
Maria, Sahariya, Kol, Korku, Bhjatara, Dorla, Pahadi-Korba, Oranva, nomad tribes like
Basdeva Devaar and Satnami. The data collected has been duly documented.

Techniques involved in crafts associated with metal, terracotta, wood have also been surveyed and documented. Survey and documentation of some popular and significant art forms and artists have also been concluded. These include Pandvani singing and its chief teacher and performer Shri Jhaduram Devanan, Sanja of Malwa, Nimadi dance drama - Kathi, the folk theatre Rahas of Chattisgarh Rai dance of Bundelkhand.

There are various styles of Ramkatha paintings prevalent in most of the states of our country. The academy has to its credit, one of the rarest collections of Ramkhatha paintings. These paintings represent the magnificent traditions of Madhubani from Bihar, Patta from Orissa, Patua from West Bengal, Kalmkari and Cheriyal Pattam from Andhra Pradesh and Chitrakathi from Maharashtra. These paintings are exhibited at National Ramleena Mela (fair).

The academy has recorded several audio and video cassettes of songs, stories and devotional songs, and Kabir Bhajans sung on various occasions. These songs form an integral part of the rich oral tradition of our folk and tribal culture.

Folk and tribal jewellery, costumes, musical instruments along with artifacts fashioned out of metal, clay, wood have been collected by the academy. These are displayed on various occasions. Under the programme of organizing training workshop on various forms of performing arts, the academy selects artists practicing these arts for it. Annually more than hundred artists participate in these training camps/ workshop.
The academy also conducts painting workshop annually. Folk and tribal artists/painters are invited to these workshop and they paint and demonstrate their traditional arts like floor paintings, wall paintings and tattoo decorations. These paintings are then collected by the academy and duly preserved for exhibition.

Artist belonging to scheduled tribes and other tribal regions are also invited to these painting workshops. Their painting are exhibited in exhibitions held in the state and other state and metros of the country. These exhibits are also put for sale.

Under the plan of documentation of various forms of arts, the academy is recording and
filming of dances, folk tales and crafts. Four CDs have been prepared on 'Tejaji Ki Katha', 'Hardaul Gatha Gayan (singing), the recital of 'Sarman Gatha, the singing of Charbait.

Two video CDs have been recorded on the traditional folk dance of Madhya Pradesh and the folk dance of India. One audio cassette on 'Charbait' has also been released. These are available for at the academy.