In the famous Sanskrit classic Amarakosa we come across the name Kinnar among Vidyadhar, Apsara, Yaksa and Gandharva Kalidasa expends all the grandeur and beauty of language while describing Kinnars in his Kumarasambhava.
Legends and mythology treat the Kinnars as a distinct race, some- where between human beings and god. The different Hindu epics describe them as heavenly musicians or celestial choristers.
Who are the Kinnars? Do they exist even today?
Yes, they do. Kinnars are the inha- bitants of Kinnaur, one of the districts of Himachal Pradesh which touches Tibet on the eastern border. They are, of course, a community of dancers and musicians, and lovers of flowers.
The life of the Kinnars, who practise polyandry, observe many colourful festivals, distinct birth and death. rituals and marriage customs, has been narrated in this book in an interesting manner. Also their occupation, language, religion, deities, and superstitions are discussed.
The main feature of the book is its style which is intensely gripping, combining as it does the techniques of fiction, poetry, mythology, trave- logue and sociological analysis.
Kiran Shankar Maitra (b 1935), after having completed his academic education In the Presidency College and Calcutta University, joined AIR as a Programme Executive In 1965 and has since been travelling to different parts in India. His first book Shaila Shikhare Nagabhumi (Nagaland on the Hill Top) In Bengali, was well received by critics and readers.
Basically a poet, he has made his mark in the literary world and has been writing in prestigious journals of the country in English, Bengali & Hindi.
As an author, he has been noted in Internatioal Writers and Authors Who's Who (Cambridge, London), Biography International, Asia International Who's Who and Indian Writers and Authors Who's Who (Sahitya Academy. New Delhi).
The author who has held many responsible posts in AIR and Doordarshan is at present Station Director AIR, Jamshedpur.
The idea of this book was conceived while I had been in Himachal Pradesh. In this book I wished to portray the Kinnars of today. My friends in Himachal Pradesh have all along encouraged me in writing this book.
I am grateful to Dr. B. S. Goyal, Head, English Department, Ghaziabad College and Mr. S. Chakra- varty, Reader, Deptt. of English, Ranchi University who have made effective suggestions.
Also my thanks are due to the Tourism Deptt. and a few of Himachal Pradesh who have very kindly lent photographs to use in this book.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
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