Biocentric Self in Tharu Folk Songs: A Study of an Affiliation between Ecology and Subjectivity

Abstract

This dissertation analyzes the themes of biocentric egalitarianism in Dangaura Tharu folk performance. The folk performance reflects the agrestic lifestyle of Tharu community. The paper emphasizes the eco-critical reading of the performances: primarily folk dance songs. The research uses principles of deep ecology as promulgated by George Sessions and Arne Naess. Deep ecology is an environmental philosophy that endorses the intrinsic eminence of all living beings regardless of their instrumental utility to human necessities, and moreover the reforming of modern humanities in accord with such concepts. Tharu folk songs and rituals assist them to connect with ecology and motivate them to acculturate the biocentric self. To analyze the performance, the aid of visuals produced under different YouTube banners has been applied. The research has developed its analysis into three chapters: "Ecology and Memory of Performance: From Content to Context of Selected Tharu folk songs," "Biocentric Egalitarianism and Sense of Place in Tharu Folk Dance Songs," "Jhumra and Chhokra: Intercommunication of Pain and Pleasure in Folklore." The initial chapter analyzes the concepts of ecology and topographical memory reviewing the concepts of folklore. The subsequent chapter elaborates on the spectacle from the theoretical insights of Naess and Sessions. The final chapter focuses on the social communication exchanging love and misfortune by the performers. The folklores of the community assemble the pre-modern egalitarian concept vital to regenerate our ecology.