Emphasising the richness and diversity of the North-east region of India, the book examines the cultural matrix of the region. The essays delve into folklore and mythology of the region, relations between tribals and non-tribals there, and historical and cultural ties between the people in general. It throws light on the epic traditions, especially the Rama-katha in Assam, Mizo traditions, and socio-religious movements in the region like the Sankaradeva movement, its arts like painting including Manipuri manuscript painting, and puppetry and performing arts and other traditional arts and crafts.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Birendranath Datta
Prof. Birendranath Datta is an eminent folklore scholar of Assam. He has held various academic as well as administrative positions in many institutions in including Guwahati University. He was awarded his Ph.D. by the Guwahati University in 1957 for his thesis entitled, Study on the Folk Culture of the Goalpara District of Assam. He was Professor and Head of Department of Folklore Research at Guwahati University from 1979 till his retirement in 1995. After his retirement he served as Advisor to the Department of Traditional Arts at Tezpur University. He has actively organized a number of regional, national and international seminars and workshops. He has also been recognized in Assam since 1950s as a musician of great standing. He edits various research journals including Assam Academy Review, Guwahati University Journal of Arts, Anandam (a research journal of Anundoram Borooah Institute of Language) and serves on the editorial board of IFRJ. His publications include A Bibliography of Folklore Material of Assam and Adjoining Areas (1978), Folk Toys of Assam (1986), A Handbook of Folklore Material of North-East India (1994), Puppetry in Assam: Past and Present (1999), Assam: The Emerald Treasure Land (1990). Books edited by him include Folksongs of the Misings (1993), Gopinath Bordoloi: A Centenary Tribute (1990) and Traditional Performaing Arts of North-East India. Prof. Datta is currently engated in the preparation of Assamese Encyclopaedia.
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