Glimpses of Karnataka Folklore

by Dr. Hebbale K. Nagesh

The great epics like Ramayana and Mahabaratha are known by each and every scholar and reader, even illiterate people and village folk know of these two epics- more often than not, they know the stories very well.

But in India, regional folk epics remain largely unexplored. In South India, especially in Karnataka, numerous epics exist and yet not one can be placed within the same realm of familiarity as the Ramayana and Mahabaratha.

Karnataka is not short in variety of cultural complexities, traditions and rituals. In Karnataka, the Coorg district is popularized as a second Kashmir and is populated with different cultures and peoples. For instance the Kodavas culture, traditional songs, riddles, language, and dress pattern are entirely different from the culture of others from the same area. 

This book contains essays on many aspects of folklore and exhibits the variety and important Karnataka Folk rituals and attitudes. Here focus is mainly on the Coorg and North Karnataka folklore. These essays are both supplementary, interdisciplinary and also comparative and analytical. This is the first time this topic has been properly discussed and in its writing the author shows a sentimental touch towards Kaveri river folklore.

About the Author:

Dr. Hebbale K. Nagesh is presently working as a Senior Grade Lecturer in the Department of Folklore, Kannada University, Hampi Vidyaranya 583276, in Karnataka. He obtained his M.A. Economics at Bangalore University in 1986, M.A. folklore at Mysore University in 1993, P.G. Diploma in Indian Literature & P.G. Diploma in Linguistic from Mysore University in 1994. He got a Ph.D. Degree from Mysore University in 1999, on "Performing Arts of Kodavas", under the guidance of Professor R.V.S. Sundaram. He worked as a lecturer in Coorg & Mysore. He is actively involved in the field of Folk Mass Communication and Kannada Literature. Dr. Nagesh is also one of the emerging Dalit creative writers and critics. He has written many books on Folklore, including the Epic of Kalingaraya, Marriage System of Kodavas, Janapada Bana siri, Bimmbada Olage Onde Prana and Kaveri Janapada (A River Kaveri). He has acted as President and Secretary for many organizations. He is a member of many academic societies and a guide to M.Phill and Ph.D. scholars in Kannada University, Vidyaranya, Hampi.