Vernacular Architecture and Folk Performing Arts

The Folk Performing Arts are those materials of folklore that involves performances of performers using their movements, sounds, and gestures. Hence, superficially the Folk Performing Arts and vernacular architecture are incompatible. But, there are many prevalent performances which takes place in the homesteads only, or that centres round the homestead. These performances are indispensably part of the housing culture of the society. Thereby these elements of the folklore are related, though may be indirectly, with the vernacular architecture. Thus, the performances such as the Husari, Ori-Git or the Mo-ho-ho are the examples of such folk performing art forms that have connection with the homestead or vernacular architecture.

If these performances have a faint connection with the architecture and disagree therefore, then the Bhatheli is the festival and performance, which has the association of the Bhatheli Ghar, thereby displays links with the architecture. Similarly, the Golirnam, the traditional communal singing arranged in the cowshed, has direct link with the vernacular architecture. This traditional ritualistic institution can be said to be the ceremonial house warming ceremony of the byre, which usually takes place on the platform of the renovated architecture of the byre (Das &Rajbongshi:2006).

However, the most dramatic piece of performance that is associated with the vernacular architecture is the customary practise on the occasion of first entry to a new house by the TaiKhamtis. Thus among the Khamtis, subsequently after the construction of a new house, an elderly person (having all living issues) takes his seat near the burning hearth (Hauktiphai / Kutu-phai) on a certain day. Subsequently, the owner of the house clad in the traditional attire, hanging the traditional Khamti bag and the traditional chopper (MitPhunk) on his shoulder, arrives there along the family members. As soon as the owner mounts the ladder holding, the man sitting inside asks the owner where from and what for he has come. The owner then replies that has come there in search of shelter. The man inside then says that the house is a suitable shelter where he can stay and goes out of the house. Then the owner with his family finally enters the house.