Issues and Challenges for Safeguarding the Intangible Heritage of Kuthu in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Kuthu is one of the very ancient forms practiced among Tamils. It is considered an intangible heritage of performing traditions. There are different styles and stories used in various contexts to compose kuthu performances. It performs religious and other alternative spaces then and now. Kuthu in the traditional way belongs to a particular society, culture and space. Here the kuthu has a particular identity, culture, traditional craftsmanship and also a particular society’s productio its own. Anyhow there are issues related to the practices in alternative space; connected to the alteration, editing and other related aesthetic aspects. The research carried out so far is for the documentation purpose, justifying the practices, aesthetic aspect or complaining the practices. In some instances psychological and sociological aspects of Kuthu are discussed. There are some occasions when scholarly discussions make awareness on intangible heritage. This research understands that there are different methods of practicing Kuthu and also the practices in the religious related and based on particular society preserved under the conventions of intangible heritage. Interpretative methods are used to analyse the Kuthu practices. The issues and changes are identified by observation, discussions, interview with the practitioners and performers. Further this study analyses how the National cultural policy and Nation supports such practices. The mechanism at national level is how it is aligned with UNESCO’s intangible convention (2003). Stable practices incorporated with the current practices are considered and identified. Possible suggestions are also made for safeguarding intangible heritage in the future. Even though the social and political changes always influence the Kuthu practices – in the other way those practices reflect the social and political changes of the existing society. Preserving intangible heritage is one of the best paths to revisit the traditions to build healthy societies in the future.