Ashraf Siddiqui’s ‘Loko-Sahitya’ Riddles: Reflections of the Surrounding Nature Reflected in Mirrors/ আশরাফ সিদ্দিকীর ‘লোক-সাহিত্য’ গ্রন্থে বর্ণিত ধাঁধা : দর্পনেপ্রতিবিম্বিত পারিপার্শ্বিক প্রকৃতির প্রতিচ্ছবি

Abstract

Folk culture is a reflection of the lives of common people. The customs, traditions, beliefs, and entire way of life of an indigenous community are integral components of folk culture. According to contemporary scholars, folk culture is now recognized as a distinct and independent discipline. In recent times, the academic study of folk culture has gained significant importance at the institutional level. Through the collection, compilation, and publication of the traditions of folk life and culture, this branch of cultural study has become richer. Discussions and reviews on various aspects of folk culture have expanded its scope and led to the emergence of different forums and categories. As a result, the study of folk culture in the Bengali language has enlightened people, and the practice of folk culture has reached a more advanced level.

           Scholars from both the East and the West have categorized or classified folk culture. In his book BanglarLok-Sahitya (Folk Literature of Bengal), Professor Ashutosh Bhattacharya has mentioned several specific categories of folk literature, such as rhymes, songs, ballads, tales, riddles, proverbs, folk myths, and history. These categories have greatly enriched Bengali folk culture. Among the scholars of folk literature who have elevated the practice of cultural studies by collecting, compiling, and publishing these elements of folk culture, one of the most prominent figures is Dr. Ashraf Siddiqui (March 1, 1927 – March 19, 2020).

           Dr. Ashraf Siddiqui’s book Lok-Sahitya (Folk Literature, Volume I & II) is one of the most important documents of Bengali folk literature. The introduction to this book was written by the renowned folk cultural scholar Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah. In the introduction, Dr.Shahidullah classified folk culture in to the following categories: Ballads, Folktales, Rhymes, Songs, Proverbs, Riddles, Folkmyths, Folkcustoms, Folkbeliefs, Games and sports, Food habits, Handicrafts.

Among these categories, this essay particularly discusses one of the main branches of folk culture: ‘Riddles.’