A SHIFT FROM FOLKLORE TO NEW MEDIA AS A TOOL OF SATIRE IN KASHMIR

Abstract

The culture of a specific region is increasingly going on the internet and it is becoming a new medium and public space for the old folk media. This change of medium has changed the viewing pattern, the makeup of message and has come up with new types of routine in terms of searching, accepting, forwarding and liking a particular message. Hence in a fraction of seconds, a message is spread to a million minds. Folk forms are an inseparable part of the culture of the masses; it does not play any role at present in the regulations of our lives but instead is used as a souvenir in some theatrical performances or television and radio broadcasts. Every place has folklore as a distinctive part of their culture and Kashmir has a rich history in terms of folk arts. Kashmir’s folk theatre Bhand Pather has a history of more than 500 years and since then it has been a major source of amusement and information for the people in Kashmir. Bhand Pather is the combination of two words Bhand and Pather, Bhand means –jester and Pather means –dramatic performance. The Internet revolution has made YouTube and video app channels as a slice of life for everyone and this is one of the most common channels of expression and medium of reach for the people to express their views freely without any scrutiny.. The Internet is used to express and incept the ideas and revolutionise. People in Kashmir are using this medium to satire various political and social issues. Some YouTube channels, Personalised Instagram pages are using subtle ways of making a satire of the present situation and this is becoming a part of information and entertainment dose for the public which was earlier filled up by Bhands by their entertaining and informative Pathers. This paper will analyse the effect of New Media on folk theatre and the effectiveness of the message conveyed through it.