The Role of Indian Folklore in Shaping Nation...

The Role of Indian Folklore in Shaping National Identity: A Study on R.K. Narayan's the Mahabharata

Author Name : Mr. Prasanta Jena, Dr. Dipti Ranjan Maharana

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56025/IJARESM.2025.1301250777

ABSTRACT Folklore, encompassing myths, legends, and oral traditions, is essential to cultural heritage, embodying a community's collective wisdom and values. In India’s diverse linguistic, regional, and ethnic context, folklore serves as a unifying force, connecting people through shared narratives and moral frameworks. Epics like The Mahabharata reflect timeless themes of duty (dharma), justice, and resilience, offering a foundation for national identity. Authors like R.K. Narayan, through accessible retellings, ensure these epics remain relevant, inspiring modern audiences while retaining their spiritual depth. This paper examines Narayan’s simplified yet profound retelling of The Mahabharata, focusing on his narrative strategies, themes of duty, justice, familial bonds, and resilience. It explores how the epic’s universal values foster a shared national identity in a diverse country like India. Additionally, it considers how these retellings adapt to contemporary socio-political contexts while preserving core cultural values, emphasizing the ongoing role of folklore in shaping India’s national consciousness and identity.