Aurari (Bihar), Aug 10 - He sits on a chowki (wooden bed) with villagers, dressed in a lungi and banian (vest), totally at home in the surroundings. But Ian Woolford has travelled far, from a university in the US to a dusty village in Bihar to research Indian rural life inspired by the writings of Hindi novelist Phanishwar Nath Renu.

Woolford, an American researcher, has been doing research on Renu's village - Aurari near Farbesganj in Araria district - to present a picture of village life, folk songs and traditions before the world, particularly to people in the US and Britain.

Woolford, 30, a PhD student from the University of Texas, has already spent nearly six months in Aurari village in the last four years to understand village life.

'Renu's writing is unique as it mainly focuses on village life. The folk songs mentioned in his writings are still alive in his village,' said Woolford, sitting on a chowki along with villagers and family members of Renu.

Renu is the author of several novels including 'Maila Anchal' on which the 1966 award-winning film 'Teesri Kasam' starring Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rahman was based. 'Maila Anchal' was Renu's first novel. It depicted life of the people of Bihar, especially the backward classes.

Woolford is happy that his hard work has paid off as he has been appointed a lecturer in the University of Texas.

'I was informed by my wife that the University of Texas has appointed me lecturer in July,' Woolford told IANS before leaving the village for the US last week.

He would dress like any other villager, in cotton lungi and vest.

He recalled that it was around five years ago when the folk songs in Renu's writings impressed him so much that he came to the village.