Folklorist: A Career in Researching About Traditions and Folk Culture

Career: Folklorist

What's It About?

Folkloristics is the academic study of folklore, which encompasses lore and a lot more, including traditional livelihood practices.

Clock Work

A university teacher will be required to give lectures, do research, and possibly handle administrative work.

On field visits to say a remote village, a folklorist's average day could be as follows:

7 am: Go to a teashop or grocer's to get basic information on candidates to be interviewed (such as a temple priest) and get their addresses

8 am: Locate the right informant. Explain the purpose of my visit and convince him to give me an interview. Take an appointment for the evening. In the meantime, explore other relevant things (temple or farm) in the village

1 pm: Look for a place to eat and have lunch

2 pm: Talk to some villagers

5 pm: Interview the priest about temple rituals

7 pm: Back to the room (in a villager's home). Check notes, file report, download photos on laptop. Plan for the next day

The Payoff

A research associate in the Anthropological Survey of India takes home about Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 a month. After a master's degree, a University Grants Commission NET-qualified junior research fellow draws about Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 a month. Assistant professors earn about Rs 40,000 a month and associate professors Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 a month.

Skills

• Strong observation and analytical skills
• Inter-personal skills
• Be adaptable and resourceful
• Good presentation and writing skills
• Be self-motivated

How Do I Get There?

Study humanities in Class 11 and Class 12. Go for a degree in social science or language/literature, followed by a masters in folklore. A PhD qualification is usually required for research and academic positions. Many national and international bodies (Ministry of Culture, Ford Foundation, ICSSR, Japan Foundation, among others) offer various kinds of support.

Institutes & URLs

• St Xavier's College in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu stxavierstn.edu.in
• Gauhati University www.gauhati.ac.in
• MA in folklore and culture studies, School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies, Indira Gandhi National Open University www.ignou.ac.in

Pros & Cons

• Field-oriented work
• Involves travel and stay with different communities
• Very limited career opportunities in the same field in India. However, there is scope in some western countries
• Few departments of folklore in Indian institutions

 

Author: Rahat Bano (HT Horizons)

Date: 16th December, 2010

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