Folktales, Myths and Legends from the Deccan, (Paperback)

Across the rugged terrain of the vast Deccan, stories have endured for centuries on the strength of a vibrant oral storytelling tradition. The Deccan-that encompasses the sprawling plateau, fertile coastal plains, undulating hills and dense forest belts-is where heroic ballads, sung epics, possession rituals and other immersive traditions have flourished through the generations. <p> Nitin Kushalappa gathers ten powerful narratives and offers a rare glimpse into a region that's home to dozens of languages and dialects-as varied as the stories born of them. Here, local heroes are worshipped as deities, warriors are immortalized and goddesses walk the earth in human form. </p><p> From the dry plains of Bayaluseeme comes the tale of Junjappa, the herdsman-hero, who rises from death and becomes a folk deity. In the mist-laden mountains of Kodagu unfolds the legend of warrior-sorcerer Kalyat Ponnappa, who masters magic to defend his people. Koti and Chennaya, the divine twins from the coastal lands of Tulun&amp;#257;d, reshape the destiny of their clan. From the forests of Chhattisgarh comes the haunting ballad of Lorik and Chandaini-a tale of forbidden love. The myth of twelve abandoned children explains the origins of entire communities in ancient Kerala. </p><p> Beyond these, <i>Folktales, Myths and Legends from the Deccan</i> also offers other fictional retellings that move across linguistic and cultural borders. The lone non-fiction ethnographic narrative in the collection explores the ancient tradition of seven mother-goddesses, long feared and revered by Deccan's people. </p><p> Meticulously researched and written with deep sensitivity, Kushalappa transforms the region's oral histories into lyrical stories that reveal a landscape as brutal as it is magical</p>

• Folktales, Myths and Legends from the Deccan, (Paperback)
• Author: Rupa Publications India Pvt Ltd
• ISBN: 9789376461677
• Format: Paperback
• Publication Date: 2026-03-05
• Page Count: 186