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The Oral Traditions of Epics in Gujarat
Hasu Yajnik
Here in this paper, I intend a detailed survey of six epics and one historical ballad in Gujarat, with the text, story in brief, edited research works done previously, the performance and research points for the post-research works to be carried out in future.
The epic tradition in Gujarat and Rajasthan exists since 10th Century, as evidenced and referred to by Bhoja in his 'Sringar Prakash' and Hemchandrācharya in his 'Kavyānushāshanam'.1
There are six epics and one balled of oral tradition that have been inscripted, edited and published. Folk-Epics ... 1. Bharathari-Gopichand
(in Gujarāti) 2. Bhilonu-Bhārath
(in Bhili) 3: Rāma-Sitamā Vārtā
(in Bhili) 4. Kunkuņā Rāmāyan
(in Kunkanā) 5. Gujarā no Arelo
(in Bhili) 6. Rāthor Vārtā
(in Bhili)
Historical Ballad And Rasalo
7. Galāleng
(in Vāgadi) 8. Shāh-Jo-Rasālo
(in Sindhi-Kutchi) I have included Rasālo of Sindhi-Kutchi poet, as it be befits to understand the oral tradition of epic in Gujarat. Rasālo comes under epicfamily. Kutchi-Sindhi poet Shāh Addullatif Bhitāi (1689-1752) wrote Shāh-Jo
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