RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FOLK ARTS OF THE MALWA REGION AND HOME SCIENCE

The Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, located in the western part of the state, includes major cities such as Indore, Ujjain, Ratlam, Neemuch, and Dewas. Historically, it was part of the ancient Avanti Mahajanapada and is known for its prosperity, culture, and heritage. The major folk arts of Malwa include Mach folk theatre, Mandana decorative art, Sanja wall painting, the Malwa painting style, clay art, metal craft, and folk music and dance traditions such as Matki and Garba. These art forms vividly represent the cultural identity and lifestyle of the region.The folk arts of Malwa are not merely a source of entertainment; they also function as an effective medium for learning and understanding principles of Home Science. Through these arts, students can practically engage with concepts such as home decoration, culinary practices, family care, child upbringing, and social development and extension education. Thus, Malwa’s folk traditions provide a meaningful way to apply Home Science principles in everyday life.This article attempts to highlight how various folk arts of Malwa can serve as a foundation for understanding and teaching Home Science in a practical, culturally rooted manner.