American Anthropologist Prof Peter J Claus a Pioneer Tulu Folklore Scholar Dead at Age 76
Mangaluru: Prof Peter J Claus, aged 76, Professor Emeritus, Department of Anthropology and Asian Studies at California State University, U.S. basically an anthropologist, who also worked with Tuluvas here in Dakshina Kannada for over three decades, died at the age of 76 due to illness in Montana, California, USA. Claus had learnt Tulu and published several articles and works about Tulu language, culture, folklore including Paddanas, and immensely contributed to Tulu language and culture through in-depth studies.
Prof Peter Claus, had come to Dakshina Kannada to study the Bunt family system and kinship as part of his thesis. During his stay in the district, he developed love towards the rich Tulu folk culture. The anthropologist-turned folklore scholar was one of the pioneering scholars in Tulu folklore. Peter had come to Dakshina Kannada district which then included Udupi in the 1970’s and was here for over 15 years. “He was basically an anthropologist. But his interest turned him into a folklorist. He was a great scholar and a down to earth person,” Hampi Kannada University former vice-chancellor B.A. Vivek Rai says. Prof Rai, who is a Tulu scholar, was closely associated with Peter, who stayed in his house for some months.
“He studied ‘Siri’ and other holy spirits such as Kod-dhabbu and Rajan Divas of the region. He got his Ph.D in the US but continued to study our folklore. He was also interested in the folktales of the region,” Prof Rai says. Peter had published articles on ‘Pad-dhana’ (folk songs) and other folk arts in the coastal region. Though many western scholars had studied Tulu, Peter, who had come here as early as 1970s, was a pioneer. He was in touch with the scholars from the coastal region till about six years ago. Peter was invited to Mangaluru University by the Kannada Department under Fulbright Teaching Award programme in 1988. Peter taught students of the university for six months. He also taught students at the Regional Research Centre in Udupi during 1988-89.
In 2008, the Brahmabaidarkal Samskritika Pratishtana had chosen Peter J. Claus, Professor Emeritus, Department of Anthropology and Asian Studies at California State University, U.S., for its Baidashree Literary Award. Prof. Claus was chosen for the award for giving a new dimension to Tulu folk study. Prof. Claus had done a special study on “Seri” rituals and other aspects of Tulu culture.
About Prof Peter Claus:
Prof Peter J Claus was born in 1942 at Schenectady, New York and studied in the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He secured BA degree in anthropology (major) in south Asian Studies in 1964. He got MA through the University of Wisconsin. He secured his PhD degree from Duke University in 1970 with anthropology as major subject. He had won Meritorious Performance and Professional Promise Award, CSUH. He was also consultant for Ford Foundation between July and December and Full bright visiting professor for Kuvempu University.
Prof Claus had undertaken travel of India as a researcher in 1967. He was attracted by the way of living of people of Tulunadu and the nature here. He came with his family and was armed with a small tape, photo reel camera, and silent video recorder when he first came. He got shelter in the house of K S Hegde, father of retired Lokayukta, Justice Santosh Hegde, at Kinnikambla near Bajpe. He conducted international folklore workshop at the regional theatre arts studies centre in 1988-89.
In 1988 he applied for fellowship and served Mangalore University in the capacity of visiting professor for six months. He published the work, ‘Folkloristic and Indian Folklore’ in 1991. In 1989-90, Prof Claus along with Prof B A Vivek Rai, had published a quarterly publication, ‘Karnataka Folklore Newsletter’. At Udupi, Peter J Claus got shelter in the house of Chandayya Heggade at Hiriyadka. Later, he came in touch with Dr L C Soans. He depended on Hiriyadka Gopal Rao to understand different facets of Yakshagana.
With the support of Prof Ku Shi Haridas Bhat, he conducted research on various issues along with S A Krishnaiah about Siri, and other folklores of Tulunadu. He was an ardent lover of Tulu language. He has left behind a huge mine of information through unpublished Paddanas and notes.
