Encyclopaedia Of Folklore And Folktales Of South Asia

Folklore and folktales belong to the oral tradition of narrative literature 'Folktales includes legends, fables, fairy stories, ghost stories, stories of giant sand saints, devils and spirits, husband and wife tales, short humorous tales mostly relating to local characters' As such 'folktales' is a narrative literature, having supernatural, superstitions, high imagery, glorification and many more elements. These may Pertain to a particular clan, a society, or a region depicting the popular beliefs, local deities, clan heroes, clan originaters etc. Folktales represent the richness of cultural heritage of the concerned society. The intention of folktales is psychological. Sometimes may be to relate the sense of superiority of self and clan of the orator, to glorify the might and brain of the clan heroes and clan deities. Sometimes intention may be mystifying the actual persons giving supernatural touch to their personality admixing humour or sensation there to. South Asia, the cradle of human civilization, occupies an important place socio-culturally, geographically and economically on the world map. Multiethnic, multi-racial and multi-lingual as the society is, South Asia is repository of great cultural wealth. Many autochthones inhabit the area. And a great treasure of folktales is there in the region. The present work is a discerning and lucid articulation of popular beliefs and practices of people of South Asia. The present set in 15 volumes gives fascinating description of ancient legends, popular beliefs and folktales of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tibet, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia. The work is a significant Society and Folk Literature. The Clarity of thought-contents, Lucidity of expression and thoroughness of subject matter are helpful features to the books. The local beliefs and terms pertaining to South Asian society are given easy explanation. So the reader can peep into the background culture of the folktale concerned. And this curiosity raises the sense of togetherness n readers-that is what that the essence of folk literature. Certainly, the folktales covered herein will enlighten, amuse and delight one and all.

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