Folktales Of Nicobar

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The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, with its pristine glory and verdant greenery, vast content of different species, wide biodiversity, unique mosaic of people, its cultural grandeur and folk traditions contributing to the unison of a commingled culture, is justly called a mini-India. Shat is most significant is the splendid presence of the tribes, the Andamanese as well as the Nicobarese, going along the path of development according to their own genius to weave a cultural tapestry par excellence.

Of course, some of the tribal customs and ritual have become a little sullied owing to the onslaught of modernization, and what largely remain are mere tales of yesteryears. Sincere attempts should be made to revive and sustain the tribal heritage. The Nicobari culture is thoroughly an oral tradition expressed. The Nicobari culture is thoroughly an oral tradition expressed in folk performances like songs and folk tales. Nowadays, the young er generation shows little interest in them. Even in Nicobar, only a handful of people belonging to the older generation are left to hum the folk-tunes and very few are left to ingenuously tell the folk tales. Some documentation is of utmost necessity to preserve the past. Otherwise, the whole treasure trove of our tribal heritage will sink into oblivion.

I am happy to know that Sri Rabin Roychowdhury, a retired Vice-Principal of the education Department, has made a commendable venture to collect a number of Nicobari folktales. Despite the fact that written documents are almost non-existent and the sagacious old gentry of Nicobar is somewhat mute, the author has compiled meticulously keeping in view the tribal milieu and motifs of folk tales.

This impressive venture of Sri Roychowdhury would be sure to inspire his fellow writers in preserving the cultural heritage of Nicobar Islands.

I am grateful to Sahitya Akademi, the National Academy of Letters, who has taken up the task of publishing this book and thereby encouraging the writers of these remote islands of our country.

**Contents and Sample Pages**