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