FOREWORD
The Central Institute of Indian Languages in collaboration with the Social Sciences Research Council of the USE organized a Seminar on Indian Folklore from August 22 to 26, 1980. This Seminar brought together about 26 folklorists of different orientation to exchange ideas and information regarding the collection, analysis and utilisation of Indian folklore materials. The Seminar discussed topics such as the relevance of folklore, in modern India, defining folklore and story Oikotypes, plant symbolism and Indian folk traditions, the concept of Indian folk hero, oral epics in relation to rituals of healing and possession, performance as paradigm: a study of Indian folk dances, the impact of oral traditions on Indian audience, folklore and mass media, oral epics and Indian value system, oral traditions and Indian women Several sessions were devoted to a thorough discussion of some of the issues on which there was overlap of concern among the collective thinking of delegates in these discussion sessions. I must record my appreciation and thanks to Prof. Peter J. Claus of the California State University Hayward, who has assumed the major responsibility in putting these together.Many people dismiss folklore as traditional. Others pursue the study of folklore with traditional methods and approaches of investigation. Serious inter-disciplinary study of folklore, though has made strides in the west, is yet to take root in the Indian soil. Even if attempts are made the western orientation often stands as barrier in pursuing and western orientation often stands as barrier in pursing and interpreting Indian folklore in its own terms. The exploration of paradigms which would permit valid comparative study therefore was one of the concerns of this group.
The papers included in this volume are working papers. However, they bring together different points of view regarding the text, the context, the genesis of folklore itself. It is hoped that the dissemination of results of this conference will stimulate further enquiry in the field.
Prof. Peter J. Claus and my colleagues Dr Jawaharlal Handoo who are editorial teammates deserve special mention apart from the learned scholars who have contributed to the volume. Sri H. L. N. Bharati, Asst. Editor of Publications of the Institute deserves thanks for speedy production of the work.Debi Prasanna Pattanayak