Folk Arts and Their Connection with Religious Rituals and Cultural Practices

Abstract

Folk arts, as living traditions, embody the cultural ethos, spiritual beliefs, and collective identity of communities across regions. Rooted in oral traditions and sustained through generations, they serve as powerful mediums of devotion, social expression, and cultural continuity. Closely interwoven with religious rituals, festivals, and life-cycle ceremonies, folk arts—whether in the form of music, dance, theatre, or visual representations—reflect the symbiotic relationship between faith and community life. Practices such as ritual paintings (Madhubani, Warli, Pattachitra), devotional songs (bhajans, kirtans, qawwalis), and performances like Ramlila, Yakshagana, or Chhau illustrate how artistic expressions function as acts of worship and carriers of mythological narratives. Beyond their religious significance, folk arts strengthen social cohesion, reinforce moral values, and mark transitions in human life. In contemporary times, while globalization poses challenges of decline, these art forms are increasingly valued as intangible cultural heritage, essential for preserving spirituality, cultural diversity, and communal harmony.