Concept Note: Transmission of Stories: Versions and Variations
Stories dominate oral traditions of every culture in the world. This fact is ascribable to the basic urge of humans to recount experiences and transmit thoughts. Narrations in the form of stories cross boundaries of space and time because of the unique element of generating interest. In Sanskrit, stories are referred to as Kathā or ākhyāyika which, with passage of time became technical forms of specialized poetry.
Stories are of Vedic antiquity. The significance of the mantra portion of Vedas embedded in the Saṁhitās is explained by the Brāhmaṇas through arthavāda. Upaniṣads elaborate philosophical principles lucidly through stories. Purāṇas are a repertoire of stories consisting of formats like Sṛṣṭikathā, pralayakathā, avatārakathā, vratakathā, and stories for narrating sthalamāhātmya etc. The well known epics Rāmayaṇa and Mahābhārata are considered as itihāsa – historical narrations with Sanskrit mahākāvyas, dramas and short poetries being based on stories within these epics. These stories are observed in society in varying formats till date.
Depending upon the context and content, stories have been classified into parables, fables, folk-tales, myths, legends, anecdotes etc. Since ancient times stories have been told and retold centring around different motifs and purposes being transmitted through different mediums including but not restricted to paintings, sculptures, dance, music, acting and writing. Political events, cultural shifts, religious turmoil, their impact on the human psyche and such other factors through the ages shaped stories into different versions and variations.
This seminar aims to explore common patterns in narrations across cultures, nations, their impact on human psychology, investigation into complexity of narrations, the impact of time and situations resulting into versions and variations in narratives and much more.
Schedule of the seminar
_______________________________________ (1) Schedule_of_march_seminar_2016-1