Tribal Songs, Ballads and Oral Epics of Bastar, is a study that is perhaps the first of its kind. Folk songs/poetry in Bastar has hitherto been viewed from th perspective fo anthropology and/ or history. No one yet is known to have examined the socio-religious songs/poetry of the tribes in Bastar from the perspective of literary criticism. This is a new turf for studies on tribal societies in India, and to that extent this book breaks new ground and sets new direction for future studies.
The importance of the book, however, extends far beyond literary criticism. In the words of the authors, "The tribes like those in Bastar have been ‘practicing’ songs/poetry for ages with an unfailing focus on its relevance to life. The oral songs/poetry of Bastar is naturally, instinctively, spontaneously born out of a commitment toward life that reinforces all aspects of tribal worldview. To study it is both, an enriching and humbling experience.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR K S Ram
K.S. Ram, won the Karnatak University Gold Medal in English in 1974. He did MA in English from the University of Mysore. He moved to Jagadalpur in 1980. He was the Organizing Secretary of Bastar Lokotsav, a showcase of songs and dances of the tribes in Chhattisgarh for promoting ethnotourism in Bastar. He has served as Senior Advisor to M.P.State Civil Supplies Corporation and Chhattishgrah Housing Borad. Currently, he is working with Chhattisgarh State Urban Development Agency as a Specialist in Urban Poverty.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Uma Ram
Uma Ram was born in Mysore. She did MA in English from the University of Mysore. She moved to Bastar in 1980. She is currently Professor and Head, Department of English, Government Kakatiya Post Graduate College in Jagdalpur (Bastar). For her Ph.D, she worked on Modern Indian Poetry in English. However, her area of speacial interest is tribal studies. Under the UGC project, she researched in the field of socio-religious oral poetry of the tribes in Bastar. She has presented papers at various seminars and workshops, regional and national, and published articles in various journals and books.
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