Chanteing Narratives

by Molly Kaushal

This volume offers a fascinating study of 'chanted narratives' from different regions of India and parts of Southeast Asia. Essentially a multi-author work, it explores the nature of orality and its various attendant aspects, like composition, performance, transmission modes, socio-economic context, and the relationship that exists between its performer and the audience. Also addressing methodological issues concerning the existing definitions and terminologies, the authors argue for a paradigm shift in the academic discourse on orality and oral cultures. Carrying twenty four contributions of leading scholars from France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Nepal, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and UK, the book not only provides theoretical insights into the complex nature of orality, but sets out a rich repertoire of chanted narratives as well Folklorists, anthropologists, historians and scholars of Indian cultures will find it a useful acquisition.

About the Author:

MOLLY KAUSHAL is a well known folklorist, specializing in Punjabi and Russian folklores. She is researching lifestyles among the Gaddis of Himachal Pradesh--chiefly on the basis of her extensive fieldwork in this Himalayan region. Already some of her papers have appeared in the journals of international repute. Currently, Dr. Kaushal is Research Officer at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi.