Introduction Folk theatre forms like Jatra, Kathakali, Tamasha, and Nautanki are powerful embodiments of the fusion between folklore and formal theatre traditions in India. Each of these art forms has its roots in oral storytelling, traditional music, local customs, and regional mythologies. They serve as bridges between the rural folk world and the aesthetic richness […]
Introduction Paula Richman is a renowned scholar in the field of South Asian studies, known for her significant contributions to the study and documentation of oral traditions, especially those related to the Ramayana. Her work has brought attention to the diverse and localized versions of this epic across India and South Asia. Through her academic
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Introduction The Mahabharata is not just an ancient epic but a living tradition that continues to influence literature, performance, and culture in India. Alf Hiltebeitel’s seminal work, “Mahabharata: Ginge to Kurukshetra,” explores this narrative from a fresh, critical perspective. His analysis goes beyond the classical text to examine its folk, oral, and performative dimensions, especially
Introduction The Ramayana is not just a religious text in India—it is a living cultural tradition that exists in multiple forms across regions, languages, and communities. While Valmiki’s Sanskrit Ramayana is considered the classical version, numerous folk Ramayanas are found in oral traditions, songs, plays, and performances. These versions, often called folk Ramayana songs, hold
Introduction “The Awakened Wind: The Oral Poetry of the Indian Tribes” by Sitakant Mahapatra is a significant contribution to Indian folklore studies. This work showcases the richness of tribal oral traditions and emphasizes their poetic and philosophical depth. Mahapatra, an eminent poet and folklorist, collected and interpreted the oral poetry of various tribal communities across
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