Project “English Club”
Folklore Workshop
Elena Tuz
Indian Folktales
Aims:
 read and translate the Indian folktales,
 learn the information about different kinds of Indian Folktales.
Steps to follow:
1. Learn the information about different kinds of Indian Folktales.
The folklores and folktales have been an eternal part of every culture
since ages. When it comes to Indian folk tales, the country of diverse
religions, languages and cultures has a complete range of tales and short
stories. Indian folklore has a wide range of stories and mythological
legends, which emerge from all walks of life. The interesting stories range
from the remarkable ‘Panchatantra’ to ‘Hitopadesha’, from ‘Jataka’ to
‘Akbar-Birbal’.
Not only this, the great Indian epics like ‘Ramayana’, ‘Mahabharata’
and ‘Bhagvad Gita’ are full of didactic stories inspired from the lives of great
souls. Being full of moralistic values, Indian folklore makes perfect stories
for children, who are required to be, instilled with right values. All these
ancient stories have been passed from generation to generation, creating
bondage of traditional values with present-day generation.
Hitopadesha Tales
The Hitopadesha is a remarkable compilation of short stories.
Composed by Narayana Pandit, Hitopadesha had its origin around a
thousand years ago. In Indian Literature, the Hitopadesha is regarded more
or less similar to the Panchatantra. In the vein of Panchatantra, the
Hitopadesa was also written in Sanskrit and following the pattern of prose
and verse. Hitopadesh tales are written in reader-friendly way, which also
contributed to the success of this best seller after ‘Bhagwad Gita’ in India.
Since its origin, Hitopadesa has been translated into numerous languages
to benefit the readers all over the world.
The term ‘Hitopadesha’ is a joint effort of two terms, ‘Hita’ (welfare/
benefit) and ‘Upadesha’ (advice/ counsel). As the term suggests, the
Hitopadesha is a collection of tales that counsel and advice for the welfare
Project “English Club”
Folklore Workshop
Elena Tuz
and benefit of everyone. Imparting morals and knowledge, Hitopadesha is
one amongst the most widely read Sanskrit book in India. The Hitopadesh
is still very much popular children story book that actually help them to
develop into responsible and mature adults. Here are provided some
popular stories from Hitopadesha.
Jataka Tales
In 300 B.C, the Jataka Tales were written for the mankind to gain
knowledge and morality. Ever since, Jataka tales have become story books
that are both enjoyable as well as knowledgeable. Originally written in Pali
language, Jataka Buddhist tales have been translated in different
languages around the world. The luminous fables of ‘Jataka’ are intended
to impart values of self-sacrifice, morality, honesty and other informative
values to people.
No less than 547 in number, Jataka Tales are an important part of
Buddhist literature. Jatak stories represent former incarnations of Buddha,
at times like an animal, a bird and sometimes like a human being, the
future Siddhartha Gautama. The setting of the stories is made in or near
Benares (Varanasi), which is a holy city in north central India. Some of the
popular story/ tale from Jatak collection are provided here.
Panchatantra Tales
The Panchatantra is a legendary collection of short stories from India.
Originally composed in the 2nd century B.C, Panchatantra is believed to be
written by Vishnu Sharma along with many other scholars. The purpose
behind the composition was to implant moral values and governing skills in
the young sons of the king. The ancient Sanskrit text boasts of various
animal stories in verse and prose. During all these centuries, many authors
and publishers worked hard to make these fables accessible and readable
by a layman. The grand assortment has extraordinary tales that are liked,
perhaps even loved by people of every age group.
The Panchatantra is the best guide to enroot moral values in children
since its each tale has a moral lesson in its end. The Panchtantra is a great
book where plants and animals can speak and converse with human
beings too. The etymology of term ‘Panchatantra’ suggests that it is a
combination of two words, ‘Pancha’ (five) and ‘Tantra’ (practice/ principle).
So, the five principles or practices illustrated by Panchatantra are ‘Mitra
Bhedha’ (Loss of Friends), ‘Mitra Laabha’ (Gaining Friends), ‘Suhrudbheda’
Project “English Club”
Folklore Workshop
Elena Tuz
(Causing discord between Friends), ‘Vigraha’ (Separation) and ‘Sandhi’
(Union). Here are provided some of the popular tales from Panchatantra.
Mythological origin of the Indian fairy tale
There are some Indian legends, reminding the fairy tale on the
Cinderella. For example, according to one fairy tale, girl Sodeva Bai also
loses a shoe, but here and similarity of fairy tales comes to an end; not the
fairy gave shoes to the poor girl, and the rich king ordered to make these
shoes for big money for the daughter, Sodev Bai.
2. Read and translate the Indian folktales.
Brother Ambe and brother Rambe
In one big house there lived a cat, and in the house there were many
mice. The cat caught mice, ate them and lived freely. Passed a lot of time,
the cat grew old, and it became difficult to it to catch mice. He thought,
thought how to be, and, at last, thought up. Called mice and speaks:
- Mice, mice, here why I called you. I confess, poorly I lived and you
offended. It is a shame to me, I want to be changed. I will not begin to
touch you. Run to itself at liberty, and of me be not afraid. I demand from
you one: every day pass by me one for another twice and bow to me, and I
won't touch you.
Mice were delighted that they will be not not touched by a cat, and on
pleasures agreed. The cat in a corner took seat, and there were mice one
for another to pass by it: pass and bow to it. And the cat sits quietly.
Project “English Club”
Folklore Workshop
Elena Tuz
Witch
Once upon a time there was an old hag. It went all over the world,
looked for small children and ate them. Once there was it on the wood and
at the mountain bottom on a big glade the shepherdess with herd of goats
saw. The herdboy was the beautiful, healthy boy.
The witch approached to it and told:
- Yes there will be your life long, the sonny! Get to me fruits here from
this tree.
- How I will get, if I am not able to climb on trees? - the boy answered.
- And you a foot встань_на a dry branch, and a hand catch for green,
- the witch told.
3. Choose and retell one of the fairy tales.
Resources:
http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-folktales/
http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-folktales/hitopadesha-tales/index.html
http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-folktales/jataka-tales/index.html
http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-folktales/panchatantra-tales/index.html