Universality of Man and Nature Relationship: A Study of Selected Folk Tales of India
Description
“Universality of Man and Nature Relationship: A Study of Selected Folk Tales of India” examines how Indian folk traditions preserve deep ecological wisdom and shared cultural ethics across regions and generations. Drawing on Ecocriticism, Deep Ecology, Ecofeminism, Collective Memory Theory, and the Anthropocene discourse, the paper analyses three iconic tales—The Jasmine Prince, A Story in Search of an Audience, and A Flowering Tree—to demonstrate how human identity, emotion, and survival are inseparably intertwined with nature in Indian storytelling traditions.
The study reveals that these narratives portray nature as an active agent, not a passive setting, and highlight universal motifs like metamorphosis, reciprocity, interdependence, and gendered ecology. By positioning nature as a moral and emotional force in human life, the paper emphasizes that ecological consciousness is not a modern invention, but a deeply rooted cultural value embedded in India’s oral traditions.
This research contributes significantly to contemporary conversations in Environmental Humanities, Folk Literature Studies, Sustainability Education, Cultural Anthropology, and Gender–Ecology Intersections. It appeals to scholars working on ecocritical theory, storytelling traditions, cultural memory, Indian folklore, eco-aesthetics, and the global ethics of environmental coexistence.
Abstract
Human existence has always been closely linked with the natural environment, and literature from various cultures has mirrored this lasting connection through myths, legends, and folk stories. This paper examines the universality of the human-nature relationship as depicted in three Indian folk tales The Jasmine Prince, A Story in Search of an Audience, and A Flowering Tree. Utilising an ecocritical perspective Glotfelty, 1996, the study emphasises how these narratives encapsulate an inherent ecological ethic, perceiving nature not merely as a passive backdrop but as an active participant in human existence. By drawing on deep ecology Naess, 1973 and ecofeminist perspectives Shiva, 1989, the analysis reveals how themes of metamorphosis, reciprocity, and gendered ecologies emerge as central motifs within the human environment continuum. Collective Memory Theory by Halbwachs tells how oral traditions save ecological wisdom through generations. This paper proposes that the chosen stories or tales surpass regional and temporal confines while indicating that ecological awareness is a cultural necessity rather than a contemporary intention. This research paper positions folk narratives as rivers of sustainability that continue to hold a significant place in the discourse of the Anthropocene Chakrabarty, 2009.
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References
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