13th Congress of the International Society for Folk Narrative Research

Presentation Abstracts

VASANTHALAKSHMI, R

The Deification of Folk Heroines in Eighteenth-century India

This paper examines four specific published folk narratives in the Telugu language, which are in the song form of Andhra Pradesh pertaining to the eighteenth century. The paper highlights the historical, sociological, psychological and religious-emotional perspectives contained in these narratives and also reflects on the 'folk mind' within a wider cultural and traditional context. The presentation will confirm the three basic concepts of Bergen folklorist Ulf Palmenfelt (Bjorg Kjaer, 1998) on narratology and narrativity, and stresses the importance of narrativity.

In this study, all three of Palmenfelt's concepts are evident. In the eighteenth century, the Hindu tradition of widow immolation on the death of the spouse was based on the widow's faith in the virtue of chastity and its associated powers to perform miracles. It was practised because it was believed that women could only obtain salvation through their complete loyalty to their husband and their unwavering aspiration to die as a married person. It was a cultural and religious dogma that was considered 'obscure' by the British rulers who legislated an act banning widow immolation. However, the four specific folk narratives described here were so moving in telling the story of their heroines, and their miracles, that they convinced the ruling officers to allow widow immolation. These miracles were believed to have been inspired by the folk heroine’s pristine faith and her devotion to her husband. These specific narratives have not only stood the test of time but have also become so legendary and enthralling that the folk heroines are worshipped as goddesses even in contemporary times.