The Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies (KIKS), Mysore University, in association with ARIVU—the research scholars’ collective of KIKS—Folkland International Centre for Folklore and Culture, and the Inter City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network (ICCN), organized a solemn and scholarly commemorative program titled "Echoes of Tradition", as a tribute to the late Dr. Jawaharlal Handoo, the pioneering folklorist who introduced modern folklore studies to India.
The event, held at the historic premises of Mysore University, was not only a homage to Dr. Handoo’s life and work but also marked the Golden Jubilee of the Folklore Department of the university. This department owes its very inception to the visionary leadership of Dr. Handoo himself.
Delivering the inaugural address, Dr. V. Jayarajan, Chairman of Folkland International Centre for Folklore and Culture, emphasized the symbolic significance of the event. He observed that celebrating the legacy of Dr. Handoo at Mysore University was deeply meaningful, as it was here that Dr. Handoo had initiated his academic journey in folklore as a Research Officer in Folklore at the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) in the early 1970s. Under his stewardship, the Folklore Unit of CIIL evolved into a globally recognized hub for folkloristic research and discourse.
Dr. Jayarajan recounted that Dr. Handoo was instrumental in establishing folklore departments across various Indian universities, including Guwahati University, Tezpur University, Madurai Kamaraj University, Calicut University, and Amritsar University. His influence was not limited to institutions—he was the founding force behind the Indian Folklore Congress (IFC), which emerged as a national forum for scholars, practitioners, and cultural activists. With active collaboration from distinguished scholars such as Dukal Chowdhari, Kailash Patnaik, Giribala Mohanty, Kishore Bhattacharya, Anil Boro, Saraswati Venugopal, Venkatesha, Subbachari, Surjit Singh, and Bajwa, the IFC evolved into a vibrant movement of intellectual and cultural exchange.
Dr. Jayarajan fondly recalled the 11th Indian Folklore Congress held in Trivandrum in 1996, a landmark event that further established Dr. Handoo’s legacy. Internationally, he served as Vice President of the International Society for Folk Narrative Research (ISFNR), placing India firmly on the global folkloristic map.
Born on July 1, 1941, in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, Dr. Handoo's academic journey began with a Ph.D. from Kurukshetra University and a UGC Senior Fellowship. His early role as a lecturer in Kashmiri at the Northern Regional Language Centre in Patiala paved the way for his later achievements.
A prolific scholar, Dr. Handoo authored more than 20 seminal books and over 50 scholarly articles. His publications, including Folklore: An Introduction, Theoretical Essays in Indian Folklore, Folklore in Modern India, and Current Trends in Folklore, set new directions for the discipline in India. He was also a passionate editor, having led the Journal of Indian Folkloristics since 1978 and served on the editorial boards of reputable international journals.
Dr. Handoo's global engagements took him to institutions such as Indiana University, California State University, the University of Helsinki, Åbo Akademi, the University of Oslo, and many more across Europe, North America, and Asia. He received multiple awards and honors, including the National Award for Kashmiri and Hindi Folksongs, a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from UGC, and an Honorary Doctorate from the Academy of Folklore, Calcutta.
The event also included remarks from Dr. Gowrisha, who extended a warm welcome to the attendees. Prof. Lolakshi, Director of KIKS, presided over the function. Dr. Kyathanhalli Rammanna and Prof. Vijayalakshmi also spoke, with the latter delivering the vote of thanks. The program commenced with a folk music invocation, capturing the spirit of the occasion.
“Dr. Handoo’s contribution to folklore studies is immeasurable and unforgettable,” Dr. Jayarajan concluded. “He was a scholar, mentor, institution-builder, and a bridge between cultures. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of folklorists.”
Through "Echoes of Tradition", Mysore University not only honored the memory of a distinguished scholar but also reaffirmed its enduring commitment to the field of folklore studies—a discipline that Dr. Jawaharlal Handoo elevated through his life’s work.