First Folklore Research Symposium was held on the 9th of December 2016 with the collaboration of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Cultural Centre of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Arts Circle. The symposium was chaired by Dr, Praneeth Abheysundara and secretary was Prof. Charmalie Nahallage, the coordinator of the symposium was Ms. Mayuri Thennakoon from the Cultural Centre. The main objective of the symposium was to encourage the undergraduate students to conduct research and to present them in an academic forum thereby giving the opportunity to develop the research culture from their primary degree period.
The theme of this year was “Ancient Heritage, Today’s Vision, Future Haughtiness” The tracks ranged from Food Culture, Folk Literature, Folk Medicine, Folk Life, Traditional Heritage, Folk Songs, Folk Dancing, Folk Art, Folk Drama, Rituals and Magic, Plant and Animal Lore
The key note address was delivered by Prof. P. M. Karunarathna Bandara on the topic of “Sri Lankan Drum art enriched by Folklore” .
The uniqueness of this symposium was that it opened the doors for the undergraduate students for the first time in the fields of Humanities and Social sciences to present their research findings in an academic forum. Students from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Ruhuna University, Peradeniya University, Kelaniya University, University of Visual and Performing Arts, and Horana Sri Pali took part in the symposium. Twenty six oral presentations and 12 posters were presented in this one day symposium.
The best abstract went to Mr. H. P. T. D. Dayananda, on “A comparative study on Sumanadewa concept represented in Folklore”, from the Sri Palee Campus, The best poster presentation was awarded to Mr K. M. Sirilal on “An ethno-archeological study on the technology of ancient pottery: with reference to Beliaththa, Puwakdandaawa Village” from Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka. The symposium ended with a cultural show.
Photos by J’pura Flames
