Sambodhi 2013 Vol 36

Author(s): Jitendra B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 83

Vol. XXXVI, 2013
The Oral Traditions of Epics in Gujarat
75
(See no.8). The fact is that, Kaikayi is gifted a 'Vardan' as she gave relief to Dashrath when his thumb was infected and painful. The rural prose Ramayan is in proper order. Here in Rāma-Sitā Marriage, two different motifs are given:1. selecting a groom by the elephant and 2. Dhanushya-Bhung-so as to make the story more interesting. There is no Agni-Pariksha in the tribal Rāmāyan that does not mean that Rāma and the society have not doubted Sitā, living alone on Lankā, because there are two significant episodes. One is during Vanvās (see No.11). On his late arrival Rāma show the big leaves of Sāg, covering the lower body parts of sleeping Sitā and Lakshaman, were found far away ! Rama did suspect ! Second example is connected with 'ashokvatika'. Here, it is clearly mentioned that the lower part of her body was so fixed between tow big stones that she was unable to move ! This too, is a typical story-motif to prove the chastity of an abducted woman character.
The return of Ayodhyā and Rāma-Bharat first meeting has also been misplaced and incorporated after Sitā-tyag and Lava-Kush meeting Rāma.
The reason of such chronological contradictions may be the fault of the informant or editor. The narrator has only remembered story, something at sometimes he forgets and tires to re-link the story. The second cause may be the incorrect numbering of the audiocassettes and/or less attention at the time of inscripting.
This brings out some guiding principles, method of inscription of an oral lore, and the editing. Performance
In the Bhil-tradition, performance of this epic is connected with BijMargi-Pāt. The main narrator and singer-sadhu and his team's main Honkārio and seven assistants, known as Bāniā (who sings) join the group singing. At dramatic point they sing with dance and some acts dressed as a monkey. The editor recorded in two attempts, first in 1984-85 and final in 1986. This may be the cause of some limitation of text editing. The 'Arthav' or prose narration is also in rhythm and rhetoric
This tradition also lasted up to the last two penultimate decades of 20th century. Now, the performances are rare. 5. Kunkaņā Rāmāyan :
The tribals residing in Dang District of Gujarāt are known as Kunkanā