Socio-cultural and Literary Potential of the Traditional Odia Oral Narratives: A Critical Review

International Journal of Humanities and Social Science

© 2022 by SSRG - IJHSS Journal

Volume 9 Issue 5

Year of Publication : 2022

Authors : Pratap Kumar Dash

10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V9I5P106

How to Cite?

Pratap Kumar Dash, "Socio-cultural and Literary Potential of the Traditional Odia Oral Narratives: A Critical Review," SSRG International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, vol. 9,  no. 5, pp. 39-44, 2022. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V9I5P106

Abstract:

The paper aims to evaluate the sociocultural and literary potential of the age-old popular Odia oral literature, which includes folk songs, lullabies and rhymes, which are variously known as Nanabaya geetas. There are popular oral songs like Chakulia Panda gita, Kendara gita, Halua Gita, Janughantia gita, and Kelakeluni gita, professionally sung by people on different occasions. Also, it includes a critical discussion of popular folk stories and poetic plays in the light of their popularity, highlighting eco-consciousness, delicate sociocultural bonds, and spiritual and moral matters. At first, it presents the factual contents of such literature briefly; then focus shifts to the discourse aspects of such writings, focusing on how it impacts motivating children; provides entertainment to all; and marks timely celebrations in the voices of parents and grandparents, ploughmen, tribal and people of specific communities like Baishnab, snake charmers, professional folk dancers and troupe performers of people's plays and hosts of similar such category of performers those who live on this. It is evident from the analysis that such oral narratives are not only embedded with sociocultural, artistic and moral values but also treasures of literary values reflecting on emotional, nostalgic and carnivalesque tempo altogether. What is more, they disseminated the traditional knowledge systems of Odisha too.

Keywords:

Carnivalesque, Oral narratives, People's plays, Sociocultural, Traditional community.

References:

[1] Alberto, César & Navas Brenes, “Analyzing an Oral Narrative using Discourse Analysis Tools: Observing How Spoken Language Works,” 2005 Research News in Education, vol. 5, no. 1, 2005. Doi: 10.15517/aie.v5i1.9119
[2] Chatterji, Roma, “Orality, Inscription and the Creation of a New Lore,” Cultural Analysis, The University of California, vol. 6, pp. 71-90, 2007.
[3] Dash P.K, “People's Play in Odisha: A Study,” Orissa Review, pp. 27-30, 2008.
[4] Dundes, Alan and Arewa, Eojo, "Proverbs in the Ethnography of Speaking Folklore," Analytic Essays in Folklore, The Hague: Mouton Publishers, 1975.
[5] Foley, John Miles, “The Theory of Oral Composition: History and Methodology,” Bloomington: IUP, 1988.
[6] “The Singer of Tales in Performance,” Bloomington: IUP, 1995.
[7] Geertz,Clifford, “The Interpretation of Culture,” New York: Basic Books, 1973.
[8] Handoo, Jawaharlal, “A Bibliography of Indian Folk Literature,” Central Institute of Indian Languages, vol. 2, 1977.
[9] Indian Oral Literature. [Online]. Available: https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases
[10] Jenkins, Paul, “Types of Oral Narratives.” [Online]. Available: https://brilliantio.com/types-of-oral-narratives
[11] Kaisii, Athiko, “Oral Literature and Memory: A Study of Tribal Folklore, Paper presented for Tribes in Transition-II: Reaffirming Indigenous Identity Through Narrative," National Conference, New Delhi, 2022.
[12] Littlejohn C.I, “The Indian Oral Tradition: A Model for Teachers,” Master's Thesis, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, 1975.
[13] Lwin, Soe Marlar, “Narrativity and Creativity in Oral Storytelling: Co-Constructing Astory with the Audience,” 2017. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963947016686602
[14] Mathai, Eldose K, Kelsall, Juliana, “Sambalpuri of Orissa, India: A Brief Sociolinguistic Survey (Report),” SIL Electronic Survey Reports, 2013.
[15] Meider, Wolfang, “Proverbs: A Handbook,” London: Greenwood Press, 2004.
[16] Oza, Preeti, “Folk Literature and the Rise of Vernaculars in India-Inferences and Analysis,” [Online]. Available: www.researchgate.net/publication/343547786
[17] Oral Traditions, “Myths & Legends of India: An ITRHD Publication,” Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development, Special Issue-2, 2017. 
[18] Raghavendra M.K, “Examining Oral Tradition in India and its Impact on Society, from Vedic Literature to Larger-Than-Life Actors, Politicians,” 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.firstpost.com/india/
[19] Rai, Aparajita, “Orality and Oral Traditions and Their Significance for Archaeology,” International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Literature, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 43–48, 2021.
[20] Rocher, Ludo, “Orality and Textuality in the Indian Context,” Sino-Platonic Papers, Number 49, Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, University of Pennsylvania, 1994.
[21] Roy S.C, “Essays in Indian Folklore,” Papers Presented to the Centenary Festival (Ed.), Indiana University, 1973.
[22] Seitel, Peter, "Proverbs: A Social Use of Metaphor", Folklore Genres, Ed. Dan Ben—Amos, Austin: University of Texas Press, 1976.