Indian Folklore and The Stories of Manoj Das : A Study in Influence and Parallels

Book excerpt: Ťhe Panćatantra, Jatakas, Kathāsaritasāgara, Hitopadeśa, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Eesop’s tales – the ancient folk compendiums have knowledge and wisdom for the people of all spheres. They are valuable for all ages with immense light over much darkness. Ťhe Panćatantra is a collection of five books by Vishnu Sharma who has educated three dull minded princes and able for kingdom. Manoj Das, an eminent Indian author who panned his writing to Indian literature in both Odia and English. Folk compendiums fascinate him and as a result of this fascination he writes short stories like Chasing the Rainbow: Growing up in an Indian Village, Selected Fiction, Tales told by Mystics, Mystery of the Missing Cap and Other Stories, The Bridge in the Moonlit Night and Other Stories, etc, the book is an illuminated study of short stories of Manoj Das and Indian Folklore that are not simply tell/story to listen.