Exploring the Nature of Folktales: In the Light of Tradition/ লোককথার স্বরূপ অন্বেষণ : ঐতিহ্যের আলোকে

Abstract

The concept of "culture" is often misunderstood. Many people think of it only as entertainment like dance and music. As a result, the term "folk culture" is also not clearly understood by most. Educated urban society often shows little interest in folk elements. Yet today, folk culture has become more relevant and valuable, both academically and socially. Folk culture refers to the collective, traditional practices, beliefs, stories, and customs of common people, especially from rural areas. It is created and passed down orally across generations. Scholars like William John Thoms first coined the term "folklore" in 1846, which has been translated in many ways in Bengali by scholars such as Suniti Kumar Chatterjee, Ashutosh Bhattacharya, and others. Among the many Bengali terms, “lokosanskriti” (লোকসংস্কৃতি) is now the most widely accepted. A major part of folk culture is verbal art or oral literature,  which includes folk tales, riddles, rhymes, folk songs, and plays. Among these, folk tales (locally known as lokokatha) are especially significant. They are traditional stories passed orally, often involving magical elements, moral lessons, and symbolic characters like animals, kings, and villagers. These stories reflect the values, beliefs, and imagination of rural communities. Folk tales are universal in theme, even though they arise from different cultures. They often teach moral lessons, promote justice, and provide inspiration. Over time, folk tales gave birth to modern storytelling and fiction. The study and collection of Bengali folk tales began during the 19th century, inspired by European interest. Books like Folktales of Bengal by Reverend Lal Behari Dey played a major role in documenting these tales. Today, folk tales continue to be an important part of Bengali literature and cultural identity.