Education Through Folklore: Functions Of Folklore in Indian Context

As per the resources available on Folk literature that Indian folktales have been handed down to us by the oral tradition which is told by elders to their children over many generations to teach the history of our people. These stories are compiled under various titles and versions. All ancient civilizations had their folktales, but it was only in Indian subcontinent that storytelling developed into an art and narrated by the elders to their children. Gradually this art has been learnt by Persians and been passed on to the Arabs.

From the Middle East, these folktales found their way to Constantinople (former name of Istanbul, Turkey) and Venice. After then these folktales started appearing in England and France. These folktales spread wide across the globe in different hands and assumed different local colors but they did not lose the real essence. The word folklore was coined by W.J Thomas in 1840 to denote the tradition, customs and superstitions of the 'uncultured’ classes in civilized nations.

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The meaning of the word, however, is prescribed not by definition but by usage.

Many of the Indian stories make their way into the literature of other nations like “The brihat katha & katha sarit sagar", “Panchtantra”, “The Arabian nights and the Sinbad", “Parrot tales". These great stories of India are loved and embraced not only by children but by adults as well and such stories are a part of every children's life. There is a story People's talk by Mulla Nasruddin which teach us great lesson in life, where Nasruddin and his son are riding on a donkey to a town and a group of people on street mock them for ‘not having mercy on the donkey’ hearing it Nasaruddin tells his son to get off and they continued their journey.

Some people comment on them, Hearing this they exchanged their position but again some people mock at them. Then he decides for both to simply walk with his donkey and once again another group passing by laugh and says “Look at these idiots.” It has a huge message that whatever people say let them say, they criticize you, they Mock and that's what they do all the time whether you're doing right or wrong. So it's better to avoid them and keep forwarding in the journey of life without notice what society think of you. Such stories not only teach great lessons to children but also leave a mark upon elders as well. Indian subcontinent occupies an important place in the folklorist history of the world, especially in the domain of fables and myths. Indian subcontinent fables have influenced the entire folk tale literature of the western world, and as old as “Aesop’s fables" of Greece contain many Indian subcontinent stories in their changed versions. William Hazlitt says “The invention of the fable is the most enviable exertion of human genius: it is the discovering of truth to which there is no clue, and which, when once found out, can never be forgotten.”

The history of the translations of ‘Panchtantra’ in the middle ages in different languages of europe and Islamic countries, is significant for a student of folklore. The diffusion of the stories of the great “Treasury of Indian fables" in many lands in Europe in different shapes and forms presents an interesting and profitable study. It Indian subcontinent which gave to the world an inexhaustible treasure of myths and legends. German indologist ‘Johannes Hertel’ who is known for his textual history of the Panchtantra and German philologist ‘Theodor Benfey’ whose attention was diverted to Sanskrit and published his edition of “Samveda” regarded Indian subcontinent as the prime source of fables and fiction. Now the question is what the purpose these folktales serve? These folktales serve a purpose to convey a moral lesson and present useful information and everyday life lessons in an easy way for the common people to understand. Most importantly these folk tales made up for children which make a huge impact on their lives. Folktales teach the children moral values, etiquette, develop their strong reading skills, they study & learn different cultures, they can discover valuable insights about another culture’s values, beliefs, history, practices and customs. When children learn about diverse cultural traditions, they not only broaden their view of the world, they also develop a greater appreciation of their own family’s heritage. They learn about decision making under challenging circumstances.

Engaging children in discussions about the consequences of making poorly throughout or rash decisions helps them to see the importance of making effective decisions in their lives. These stories made up for children to teach them lessons so somehow we can say that these folk stories are a part of children’s literature. Some of the most famous folktales from all over the world which we all enjoyed while growing up and still enjoying are ..“Baital pachisi” who telecasting on tv where it known as “Vikram betal", it is famous for its unique plot of legendary king, vikramaditya befriended by a vampire, baital. Their funny relationship amuses children and provides them with an image of darkness that is also fascinating. There is a Legendary collection of short stories in “Panchatantra” it entertains children and implant moral values and governing skills in young sons of the king.

Another very famous Folktale “One Thousand and one Nights” is collection of Middle Eastern and Indian Folktales compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age. In which the tales of Aladdin, Alibaba and Sinbad the sailor are included. A very well-known fairy tale “Snow White and Seven Dwarfs” which is published by Grimm brothers in 1812 in the first edition of their collection Grimm Fairy Tales. This Folktale contains elements of magic mirror, The poisoned apple, The glass coffin and the characters of evil Queen and the seven Dwarfs, which is still loved by many people. Whereas “Aesop’s fables" which is a collection of fables credited to Aesop, he was a slave and story teller who lived in an ancient Greece. Aesop’s fables are much like Panchtantra tales of India. It's every story offers some moral that become necessary to add to one’s growth as a person.

Another lesson giving, fully entertaining and favorites of all “Akbar & Birbal" it is one of the most famous Folktale of India and each child is aware of it. It is a discourse between Akbar and Birbal which makes us ecstatic every time we read, watch or listen to them. Birbal is one of the Navratnas of the emperor Akbar. The wisdom of birbal fascinates children as well as portrays how he has been able to balance the political ideologies inherent in the mughal courts.

As like birbal there is an another master of wit & Intelligence from South Indian Folklore is “Tenaliraman" His tales are famous for his witty technique of solving problems. He's one of the Ashtadiggajas in the court of Krishnadevaraya. Another legend of wit & humour and the most loving character of the Middle-Eastern regions is “Mulla Nasruddin” who looks at the world with a satirical eye. His good humored and witty personality makes him famous in all parts of Southern Asia. Each take depicts Nasruddin in a different situation.

We all grew up by reading, listening & watching these amazing folks stories which are full of wit, humor and intelligence. Indeed, all these stories have changed our life and gives us a different point of view to see the world. They always ended with a sweet moral that taught us a thing or two about life which we could never forget. Two of the most loving and enjoyable Folk stories are of all time are.. “Akbar & Birbal and Tenali Raman”. They have left an indelible and lasting impression on our mind with their wit and humor.

They both were court jesters and never lose any chance to impress their Kings with their wit and intelligence. Tenali was called kavi means clown-jester-poet. He was also entitled by ‘kumar bharti’ for his works. Birbal was a poet of repute. Many stories and anecdotes are attributed to him. Birbal and Tenali Raman manage to outsmart envious courtiers who try to trap and portray them in poor light in front of King, often in a humorous manner to show them sharp and intelligent response.

In the story The three questions, Very smartly birbal gave answer to the all three questions which was asked by the jealous courtier. His answers were very cunning that courtier could not say a word further. However, he stunned him with his sharp wit. Whereas Tenaliram never stop impressing his king, who always tries to test him. In the story The most precious gift, King Krishnadevaraya decides to teach Tenali raman a lesson for his laziness by using treasures and gifts. King announced in his court to ‘choose any precious gift you want and it will be yours’. Everyone grabbed the best possible gift to take back home, then Tenali raman arrives and sees everyone with precious gifts. King said nothing is left for you because you're late. There was only a silver bowl left, he took that silver bowl happily and covered it with a shawl. King asked the reason for covering the bowl to which he said, so that people on street would not notice that it is empty because every time I walk back to home with precious rewards and gifts, people praise your generosity and my wit. By covering it your reputation will remain intact”. He once again outsmarted him and got the costliest royal necklace of the king. Hence, Tenali Raman with his intelligence impresses his king. This story of Tenali raman teach us that you should never be afraid of new challenges in life. Instead of being afraid of them, see them as an opportunity to create a mark! when we read the folktale itself we understand it better and be able to make good connection with characters, instead of watching fictitious series or reading comics. For this reason, the reading of folklore can provide a means for gaining insight and understanding of a culture from the “inside out.”

In ancient and pre-literate cultures, stories provided an important means for preserving and perpetuating the myths, rituals, history, and other information considered to be of value. For example in the Chinese version of Cinderella, Yeh Shen is fitted with a brocaded slipper, not a glass one. Through folklore, children are exposed to ways of living which may be very different from their own and develop an appreciation for the unique aspects of culture which identify groups of people around the world. More importantly, folktales provide an opportunity for children to realize that in spite of outward differences, the basic needs of people are the same. Throughout the world, people share a common need for love, hope, and security and possess feelings of happiness, anger, pride, and loneliness. These basic needs and the ways humans of all cultures deal with them are reflected in folktales. In our diverse and multicultural world, there is an increasing need for people to overcome their differences and be able to live and work together in harmony and it can only happen when we teach lessons and give education to our children to how to love their own self, how to love nature, how to love people around you, how to love animals because that's what we need in this world today and if we really want to bring change so first we need to sow a seed of love, generosity, kindness, sympathy among our little ones and I think nothing could be better than these folk stories which can helps us to do so.

If we really want them to be a good human being then we should handed them these beautiful Folktales instead of Video games and useless comic books which rise nothing but addiction and rage in them. Trust me Folktales still give the same feeling while reading or listening from our elders as we used to get in our childhood days. Great Anthropologist and Folklorist A.K Ramanujan says, “past never passes and the study of folktales will never become outdated.”