Capitalist approach killing folk culture, says Sahitya Akademi President

Sahitya Akademi President Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari believes “capitalist consumerism has adverse effect on folk culture” despite continuous efforts to preserve the culture and traditions.

Citing Mahatma Gandhi’s take on British education system that “Colonisation is uprooting the Indian tree of knowledge”, Tiwari said, “We are facing it right now. Capitalist consumerism has adverse effect on folk culture as it is pulling people away from the tradition.”

Speaking at the inaugural session of national seminar titled ‘Folklore: Tellings and Retellings’ at Sahitya Akademi’s Festival of Letters, Tiwari emphasised on the importance of the Indian oral tradition of storytelling.