Cultural Contours of North-East India

Description

This book explores aspects of culture and folklore of different states and tribes of north-east India. It examines arts and crafts, regional painting traditions, puppetry, literature, performing arts, cultural relations between different states, and religious cults and movements of the region. The author presents a multifaceted and multilayered cultural heritage of the north-east. Offering an insider's perspective, he highlights the importance of social, political, economic, environmental, emotional, and psychological factors in the formation of culture and folklore. While examining the various tribal cultures and folklores, Birendranath Datta highlights commonalities among the tribal and non-tribal populations. A well-written introduction contextualizes the essays in the current historiography and social scenario.

This book will be of considerable interest to scholars and students of culture and folklore studies, sociology, anthropology, and history, particularly those interested in north-east India.

About the Author

Table of contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Northeast India and its Socio-cultural Milieu
2. The Study of the Folklore Material of Northeast India: The Case for Taking an Integrated and Multi-dimensional Approach
3. Contacts, Togetherness, and Commoness among Tribal and Non-tribal Populations of Northeast India: As Reflected in Folklore
4. Writing an Integrated History of Northeast India: Traditional and Local Material of Historical Value
5. The Sankaradeva Movement and its Legacy of Cultural Liberation in India's Northeast
6. Sankaradeva and the Tribals of Northeast India
7. Historical and Cultural Relations between Manipur and Assam
8. Madhava Kandali and His Ramayana: An Introduction
9. Rama-katha in the Tribal and Folk Traditions of Assam
10. Sabin Alun: The Karbi Ramayana
11. The Rama-katha Story in the Mizo Tradition
12. Karbi Folklore: Some Outstanding Features
13. The Misings and Their Folklore
14. Changing Contours of Tribal Folklore: Through the Northeast Indian Window
15. Changing Functions of Traditional Narratives: An Indian Perspective with Special Reference to Northeast India
16. History of the Performing Arts of Assam: An Overview
17. Some Aspects of the Traditional Arts and Crafts of Assam
18. Manipuri Manuscript Painting: A Distinctive Northeast Indian Genre
Index