Folklore and traditional performing arts are held very dear and especially of significant value to the people in the international community. They have been preserved for generations by word of mouth in the form of songs, dances, and theatrical performances. Consider a merry tune of a harvest festival, the historical fables depicted by the mask dances, or the big-hyped folk operas famous for the dramatisation of the songs. These are some of the specimens of how performing arts have been essential to human lives for centuries, and these traditions are still important in the contemporary world, which is filled with advanced technologies.

But, if you want to learn about folklore and traditional performing arts in the modern world, you must first understand them individually. To do that, we need to turn the clock back in time to dive deep into history to uncover the mystery of their origins and understand how it all began.

Traditional performing arts

Traditional performing arts is a fascinating category of different branches of art that tell the audience stories through singing, dancing, acting, and puppet shows. You can find traces of these forms in our history and see how, even today, they reflect the unique cultures and traditions followed by many societies all over the world. Whether it’s the graceful movements of classical dance or the lively rhythms of folk music, traditional performing arts allow you to peek into the rich diversity of human creativity and expression over the centuries.

Folk performing arts

In essence, folk performing arts is simply knowledge, culture, and traditions all rolled into one. It is their cultural identity in the form of lore, myths, traditions, songs, chants, religion, and other performances. These traditions have been passed from one generation to the other and can be said to reflect the values and beliefs of a given society. Even in today’s world, folklore in the form of myths, legends, or folk songs has the power to bring people together to rebuild their culture and identity.

The role of folklore and traditional performing arts in modern society

Even after all the changes, revolutions, wars, globalisation, digitisation, and the introduction of AI, folklore and traditional performing arts are still relevant in the modern world. Let’s look at the role of folklore and traditional performing arts in the current era:

Historical significance: Folklore and traditional performing arts act as living museums. They preserve history, culture, customs and values alive for future generations to learn.

Bringing people together: Folk performing arts create a sense of belonging for people worldwide and provide a platform to celebrate and share their unique stories and experiences.

Inspiration for creation: With the changing times, performing arts have adapted and innovated to add new forms of art interpretations, techniques, and technologies into age-old practices.

Economic accelerator: In the modern age, folklore and traditional performing arts are driving the cultural tourism industry by attracting visitors from every corner of the world who want to learn and experience diverse cultures and values.

Creative career opportunities: Through adaptation and innovation, folk performing arts have ventured into new industries, creating various career opportunities in diverse fields.

Creating social awareness: Throughout history, generations have used folklore and traditional performing arts to inspire societal change, and this hasn’t changed. People continue to utilise these powerful tools to raise social awareness about social issues and spark conversations that drive change.

Form of education: Performing art schools, like APAC, now offer a wide range of degrees in the field. These courses help learners master the practical skills of performing arts in a creative and engaging way.

Folklore and traditional performing arts have changed over the years. What hasn’t changed is how we humans use them to tell stories and express ourselves. If you are passionate about pursuing a career in performing arts, APAC can help you achieve your goals. We offer niche degrees in the field with specialised training and a performance-centric approach. With our guidance, you can hone your skills and take the express lane towards future success in the industry.

Frequently asked questions about folklore and traditional performing arts in the modern world

Q1. What are traditional performing arts?

A1. Traditional performing arts are a form of storytelling through music, dance, theatre, circus arts, magic, puppetry, and many other art forms passed down over centuries. These fine art forms are often performed in front of a live audience.

Q2. What do you mean by folk performing arts?

A2. Folk performing arts is a type of art form that combines various elements such as music, dance, storytelling, poetry, and acting. They are ingrained in the culture and traditions of a community and often involve religious or festive celebrations.

Q3. What are the four major performing arts?

A3. The four major traditional performing arts are dance, music, theatre and film. To learn more about different types of performing arts and pursue compelling careers in the same, explore our wide range of courses accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).

Q4. What are the performing arts in the modern world?

A4. Over the centuries, performing arts have also evolved to include new art forms beyond traditional dance, music, theatre and film. Different types of performance art in modern times are:

Music: Classical, folk and contemporary music.
Dance: Classical (e.g., Ballet), traditional (e.g., Folk dances) and contemporary dance.
Theatre: Classical, musical, contemporary theatre and opera.
Storytelling: Spoken word, digital storytelling, poetry recitation, stand-up comedy and improv.
Performance Art: Live Art and interactive art.
Puppetry: Traditional and contemporary puppetry.
Circus Arts: Traditional and contemporary circus.

Q5. Why are traditional performing arts important?

A5. Traditional and folk performing arts have been passed down through generations and reflect the culture, history, and beliefs of the societies and communities where they originated. These traditional forms of art are important because they have the power to bring people from different backgrounds together, instil a sense of national pride, and create a shared cultural identity.

Folklore and traditional performing arts in the modern world