
As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, Menrva Books earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more
This reprint of Tales of the Punjab, with its illuminating new introduction by Dr. Tariq Rahman, serves both its primary purpose of making an important collection of folktales available once again, and at the same time draws much deserved attention to the life and work of Flora Annie Steel (1845-1929).
This collection presents a curated assembly of traditional Punjabi folktales, capturing the oral history and cultural identity of the region through the voices of its people. Flora Annie Steel acts as the primary collector, documenting these narratives to preserve the linguistic and social nuances of the Punjab during the late 19th century. The stories function as a bridge between local tradition and a wider readership, utilizing a framework that emphasizes the preservation of cultural heritage. The text operates as a repository of moral lessons, supernatural encounters, and social commentary, reflecting the logical constraints of a society deeply rooted in oral storytelling traditions.
Readers and critics frequently highlight the significance of this work as a foundational text for understanding the folklore of the Indian subcontinent. Discussion often centers on the balance between Steel's colonial perspective and the authentic voices of the local storytellers she documented. The pacing is dictated by the episodic nature of the folktales, which allows for a diverse range of themes and character archetypes. Scholars often point to the collection as a vital resource for those interested in the intersection of anthropology and literature. The work remains a subject of interest for its role in preserving narratives that might otherwise have been lost to time.
Page Count:
320
Publication Date:
2002-12-26
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0195797892
ISBN-13:
9780195797893
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!