FOLKLORE AND POSTCOLONIAL IDENTITY: REVISITING CULTURAL NARRATIVES IN INDIAN LITERATURE

Abstract [English]

In the intersection between postcolonial literature and folklore, there is an exploration of identity, memory, and resistance. Folklore, with its oral traditions, rituals, and cultural expressions, is not only a repository of communal knowledge but also a medium for preserving cultural identities. In postcolonial literature, these narratives are often revisited to critique colonial histories, question hegemonic structures, and reclaim indigenous voices. This intersection allows us to explore how colonial and postcolonial realities (One example of this postcolonial reality is the colonial power structure seen in the form of Senanayak and his exploitation of the tribes) shape and reinterpret folk traditions. Themes such as gender, caste, ecological wisdom, and subaltern resistance emerge prominently, highlighting how folklore bridges the past with contemporary struggles for identity and justice. The integration of folklore into postcolonial texts not only subverts colonial erasures but also fosters a renewed appreciation of the socio-political relevance of folk narratives in a globalized, digitized world. This paper shall underscore the potential of folklore in enriching postcolonial discourse, reshaping cultural memory, and advocating for social and ecological sustainability. This paper shall try to explore how Indian postcolonial literature incorporates folklore to subvert colonial narratives, reclaim indigenous identities, and resist socio-political injustices. Through detailed analyses of texts such as Raja Rao’s Kanthapura, Mahasweta Devi’s short stories, and Kamala Das’s poetry, this paper shall examine the interplay between oral traditions, cultural memory, and identity. Additionally, it will also investigate how folklore in postcolonial literature provides ecological wisdom, redefines gender roles, and navigates the challenges of modernization. By demonstrating the dynamism of folklore in preserving and reinterpreting heritage, the paper shall highlight its relevance in addressing contemporary cultural and ecological crises.