Kurukshetra University has proposed setting up a Centre for Folk Literature and Cultural Research in its Department of Hindi. The move aims to preserve and promote Haryana's rich cultural heritage through focused academic work on folk traditions.
University's Plan for Folk Literature and Cultural Research Centre
Vice-Chancellor Prof Som Nath Sachdeva said Kurukshetra University had been working consistently to preserve and promote Haryana's cultural heritage. The new centre will facilitate national and international seminars, workshops, research projects, and exhibitions on Haryanvi folk literature and culture.
The centre will also promote systematic documentation, digitisation, and publication of folk material. This approach ensures that traditional knowledge is not only studied but also preserved for future generations in accessible formats.
NEP-2020 Alignment and Academic Focus
In line with NEP-2020, the centre will strengthen education and research on mother tongues, folk languages, and local cultural heritage. This aligns with the national policy's emphasis on promoting regional languages and indigenous knowledge systems within higher education.
Chairperson of the Department of Hindi, Prof Maha Singh Poonia, noted that the university's Dharohar Haryana Museum houses valuable material related to the state's cultural past. This existing resource will support the centre's research and documentation efforts.
What This Means for Haryana's Cultural Preservation
The proposed centre represents a structured academic approach to preserving folk traditions. By combining research, exhibitions, and digitisation, the university aims to create a comprehensive platform for Haryanvi culture.
The initiative also opens opportunities for scholars and students to engage with folk literature through formal academic channels, potentially attracting national and international collaboration.
Our Take: A Step Toward Protecting Local Heritage
In our view, this proposal is a practical response to a real problem — folk traditions often fade when they are not documented or studied systematically. By creating a dedicated research centre, Kurukshetra University is treating cultural preservation as a serious academic discipline rather than a side project.
The focus on digitisation is particularly important. It means the material will not just sit in archives but will be available for study, comparison, and public access. The NEP-2020 alignment also gives this initiative a policy framework, which increases its chances of sustained support.
What remains to be seen is how quickly the proposal moves from paper to practice. But the direction is clear — Haryana's folk literature is getting the institutional attention it deserves.