Folkloristics Dept inaugurated at DMU
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 31 2025: Marking a significant milestone in folklore studies in the State, Dhanamanjuri University has inaugurated the Folkloristics Department and hosted an induction programme to welcome students of the MA 1st year folkloristics programme and Hindi Department.

The programme was held at the Humanities Block of DMU and witnessed the presence of Professor W Chandbabu Singh, Vice Chancellor , DMU; Professor S Lanchenba Meetei, Dean, School of Humanities, DMU and Professor K Indramani Singh, Dean, School of Social Science, DMU as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, the DMU VC said that the Department of Folkloristics has been introduced for the first time in the State at DMU.

He said that the inauguration of such a department has been the dream of many in the State.

Introducing the folkloristics programme aligns with the objectives of the NEP 2020 which advocates for more interdisciplinary courses that will benefit society and bring about a transformation in the education system, said Professor W Chandbabu.

Folkloristics studies society's culture, oral traditions, history, food habits, customs, beliefs etc.

The study will be done from a global perspective and not limited to Manipuri society, he added.

Aside from Manipur, the programme will also study the culture, tradition, history of neighbouring States and countries.

The DMU VC went on to state that discussions have been held at the national level to introduce folkloristics departments across various universities in the country.

However, only limited universities have introduced this programme, he said.

Meanwhile, Dr M Sadananda Singh, Academic Welfare Committee, School of Humanities, DMU shared that the intake capacity of the newly introduced department is 20 seats.

The duration of the MA programme is 2 years and consists of 16 papers.

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