8 episodes
Bangla Folk Katha by Aritra Podcast Red FM India
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- Arts
We have all grown up listening to stories from our grandparents, parents or a relative who always had the best of stories to tell.
These stories were either legends or folk tales from around the world or famous stories that have travelled the world over time and space.
But there are a separate set of stories which smells of our roots, tells us of a time gone by or teach us few lessons that still stands true. Bengali folktales.
Bengal, not just West Bengal but beyond the borders of India the country of Bangladesh, which was undivided once, has a treasure trove of such tales. History, legends, lifestyle and a rich culture of this soil comes together through such tales. It includes animal and forest life, legendary robbers, fairy tales, kings, princes, queens and even a poor Brahmin. Ghosts and other beings equally featured in such tales which often kept us awake and let our imagination run wild.
Stories which have transcended time, medium and got re-interpreted through various forms of art and even films, were initially an oral tradition. Be it Thakumar Jhuli, Thakurdadar Jhuli or Tuntunir Golpo it enthralls the young and brings back nostalgia for the young at heart!
Collected over ages these stories survived the wrath of time and technology and are still referred to in pop culture!
Welcome to this world of folklore which gives you a look back to the roots of Bengal and the rich culture of imagination.
Stories which were part of growing up but we never grew out of.
Indigenous with a definite Bengali taste yet an universal message every time when it comes to human life.
The episodes of Folk – Kotha will have these stories interpreted and related to our daily life and also relive the nostalgia.
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EP-7 The Common Folks
Folktales in Bengal is not always about royalty. Often a Brahmin wife or a fisherwoman hogs the limelight and leads the story in a very strong way. Way before women liberalisation and feminism came into vogue , folktales showcased very strong women who always found a way to win over hearts and kingdoms at ease. This episode celebrate such women from the Bengali folktales.
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EP-6 The Hooded Crawlers
Remember Nagini from Harry Potter? Well in this episode you will meet more wilder versions of snakes. Who often represent negativity or is a cursed royalty. Snakes form a major chunk of folktales of Bengal. Where the prince wins over the princess by winning over the snake. These amazing beasts deserves a separate episode , who often scared a whole kingdom.
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EP-5 Rhythm & Rhymes
As music adds into the storytelling of a movie so does the rhymes in a folktale. Bengali folktale is filled with such rhymes highlighting the character or the place. Descriptions of evil spirits get a different shade with such rhymes. In this episode these rhyming words create the stories and also highlights how they are now part of everyday Bengali language and pop culture. They are also repeated in storytelling even in
this generation!
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EP-4 Dont Be Jealous
Jealousy or Irsha often form the central theme of many stories. Bengali folktales based on such a theme often lead to dynamic adventures and revenge sagas. This episode deals with this side of human nature and brings forth amazing tales based on this emotion.
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EP-3 Folkkatha-Magical Animals
Animals play a crucial role in all folktales. Bengali folktales are no exceptions. This episode talks about such animals who are central characters of stories.
Or at times royalty give birth to animals who are cursed. Also these curses are broken by certain journeys or getting certain magical stuff This episode share such stories from the traditional Bengali folktales.
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EP-2 Folkkatha–Hidden Horcruxes
Horcrux – every Potterhead knows about it. It is the magic by which the soul of a person is kept in various animals or objects so that they are indestructible.
Bengali folktales too have such chapters where we find evil powers keep their spirits divided into animals like fish, birds or a bee.
Such stories are being referred here and retold highlighting the horcrux.
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