Folktales and folk legends of Chhattisgarh

Raja Nal and Mata Damyanti

Damayanti chose Nala for her husband in preference to the gods. This angered one of the demigods, Kali. He caused Nala to lose his kingdom and all his possessions. Nala and Damayanti went into the forest, but got separated. They took up work under different kings, hiding their true identity.

Dhola Maru

In Chhattisgarh version, Dhola is the son of king Nal and mother Damyanti. Dhola in his previous birth is one very beautiful young man who was catching fish in the village pond through angle called ‘gari’ in Chhattisgarhi. Rewa, an exceptionally beautiful woman, who was daughter-in-law of some family in the village in her previous birth, came to fetch water seven times, expecting Dhola at least to say a word to her. However, when getting no response from Dhola, she broke her silent by reciting following verse which rhymes:

gari khele, gari khelwa kahaaye, au lambe mele taar, saato lahut paani aaye ga Dhola, tai eko naiee bole baat

Bhoja

King Bhoja of the Paramwara Dynasty was a proud man. He had ruled his kingdom well and the people were prosperous and happy. However recently the people of the kingdom complained about a man-eater who had started attacking the people at the outskirts of the kingdom. It seemed like the animals of the forests were slowly venturing into the kingdom which resulted in loss of life and property. Immediately the king along with a small group entered into the forest and got about systematically decimating the wild animals in the place. Once the king and his men were reasonably certain that the wild animals would not cause any more threat to the people, the king started his journey back to the capital.

Kalidas and Vidyotma

There was a king who had a very learned daughter Vidyotma, in her knowledge she surpassed all the scholars of the kingdom. She declared she would only marry the person who would defeat her in a battle of wits. The scholars of the kingdom decided to take their revenge from the princess by marrying her to a fool. They went looking, and in the forest saw a man sitting on a tree who was cutting the branch he was sitting on. On seeing this, they decided they had found their man, and they would marry him to the princess, and they told him “Come with us, we will take you to the palace and you will be given good food to eat, but do not say a word when you are there, only use hand gestures.”

So he went and the scholars said to the king – “Maharaj (Your Majesty), we have chanced upon a great scholar who would like to challenge your daughter, but he won’t speak anything”. The fool was presented before the princess. The princess Vidyotma showed him one finger of her right hand, the fool thought she intended to blind him in one eye. He showed up two fingers signaling that if she would blind him in one eye, he would blind her in both eyes. Next the princess showed the open palm of her hand, now the fool took this to mean she would slap him. He showed a fist to signal he would box her in return.

After the marriage when Vidyotma discovered her husband had no knowledge and was in fact a big fool, she insulted him and left him. At this the fool was very upset and he decided he would attain wisdom. The scholars who had got him there all left him alone. It is said that he went to the temple of Garhkalika in Ujjain and prayed to the goddess for the gift of knowledge. He prayed and offered to the goddess his tongue as sacrifice and when was about to cut it off with a sword the goddess appeared before him and blessed him. Because of being blessed by the goddess, words of wisdom started flowing through his mouth and he began to write poetry and prose in Sanskrit language. He then created works like ‘Shakuntala’ and ‘Meghdoot’ and the beauty of his expression made him very renowned.

Chhattisgarh is a state in central India. It is home to a rich culture and history, and its folktales and folk legends are a testament to this. Some of the most popular folktales from Chhattisgarh include:

Bhima and Hidimba

Bhima is one of the five Pandavas, the heroes of The Mahabharata. Hidimba is a giantess who lives in the forest. Bhima and Hidimba fall in love and have a son named Ghatotkacha. Ghatotkacha is a powerful warrior who helps the Pandavas in the Mahabharata.

Dulla Bhatti

Dulla Bhatti is a folk hero from Punjab. He is known for his bravery and his Robin Hood-like exploits. Dulla Bhatti would rob from the rich and give to the poor. He is a popular figure in Punjabi folklore.

Gopal Bhar

Gopal Bhar is a folk hero from Bengal. He is known for his wit and intelligence. Gopal Bhar was a court jester who often used his wit to outsmart his opponents. He is a popular figure in Bengali folklore.

Jhalkaribai

Jhalkaribai was a warrior queen from Chhattisgarh. She fought against the Mughals in the 17th century. Jhalkaribai was a skilled horsewoman and archer. She is a popular figure in Chhattisgarhi folklore.

Lakshman Nayak

Lakshman Nayak was a folk hero from Chhattisgarh. He is known for his bravery and his fight against the Mughals. Lakshman Nayak was a leader of the Gond people. He is a popular figure in Chhattisgarhi folklore.

Pannalal Mahto

Pannalal Mahto was a folk hero from Jharkhand. He is known for his bravery and his fight against the British. Pannalal Mahto was a leader of the Santhal people. He is a popular figure in Jharkhandi folklore.

Raja Bharthari

Raja Bharthari was a king from Bundelkhand. He is known for his love for his wife, Charulata. Raja Bharthari and Charulata are a popular couple in Indian folklore.

Raja Vikramaditya

Raja Vikramaditya was a king from Ujjain. He is known for his intelligence and his bravery. Raja Vikramaditya was a patron of the arts and sciences. He is a popular figure in Indian folklore.

Sati Ansuya

Sati Ansuya is a goddess in Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism. She is the wife of the sage Atri. Sati Ansuya is known for her devotion to her husband. She is a popular figure in Hindu folklore.

Sati Padmini

Sati Padmini is a queen from Chittorgarh. She is known for her beauty and her sacrifice. Sati Padmini committed jauhar, or self-immolation, along with other Women in her palace to avoid capture by the Mughal emperor Alauddin Khilji. She is a popular figure in Indian folklore.

Sati Taramati

Sati Taramati is a queen from Orissa. She is known for her beauty and her sacrifice. Sati Taramati committed jauhar, or self-immolation, along with other women in her palace to avoid capture by the Mughal emperor Akbar. She is a popular figure in Oriya folklore.

Tansen

Tansen was a musician in the court of Akbar. He is known for his beautiful voice and his skill on the veena. Tansen is a popular figure in Indian folklore.

Veer Durgavati

Veer Durgavati was a queen from Gondwana. She is known for her bravery and her fight against the Mughals. Veer Durgavati was killed in battle against the Mughal emperor Akbar. She is a popular figure in Chhattisgarhi folklore.

Veer Narayan Singh

Veer Narayan Singh was a king from Surguja. He is known for his bravery and his fight against the British. Veer Narayan Singh was killed in battle against the British. He is a popular figure in Chhattisgarhi folklore.

These are just a few of the many folktales and folk legends from Chhattisgarh. These stories are a part of the rich culture and history of the state. They are passed down from generation to generation, and they continue to be told and retold today.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about folktales and folk legends of Chhattisgarh:

What are folktales and folk legends?

Folktales and folk legends are stories that are passed down through generations by word of mouth. They often feature supernatural Elements and teach moral lessons.

What are some common folktales and folk legends from Chhattisgarh?

Some common folktales and folk legends from Chhattisgarh include the story of the brave warrior Pawan Dev, the story of the beautiful princess Ratnamala, and the story of the wise old man who helps a young boy find his way home.

What are the origins of folktales and folk legends?

The origins of folktales and folk legends are often unknown. Some believe that they originated in ancient times, while others believe that they are simply stories that have been passed down through generations.

What is the purpose of folktales and folk legends?

Folktales and folk legends serve a variety of purposes. They can entertain, educate, and teach moral lessons. They can also provide a sense of identity and belonging to a particular group.

What are some of the characteristics of folktales and folk legends?

Folktales and folk legends often feature supernatural elements, such as talking animals, magical objects, and evil spirits. They often have a moral lesson or teach a valuable lesson about life. They are often passed down through generations by word of mouth.

What are some of the benefits of reading folktales and folk legends?

There are many benefits to reading folktales and folk legends. They can help children develop their imagination and creativity. They can also teach children about different cultures and values. Folktales and folk legends can also be a source of entertainment and enjoyment.

Where can I find folktales and folk legends from Chhattisgarh?

There are many places where you can find folktales and folk legends from Chhattisgarh. You can find them in books, on the Internet, and even in your own community. If you are interested in Learning more about folktales and folk legends from Chhattisgarh, I encourage you to do some research and explore the many Resources that are available.

Which of the following is not a folktale from Chhattisgarh?
(A) The Story of the Magic Ring
(B) The Story of the Clever Girl
(C) The Story of the Brave Prince
(D) The Story of the Kind-Hearted Farmer
In the folktale “The Story of the Magic Ring,” the ring is used to:
(A) Help the hero defeat the villain
(B) Bring the hero back to life
(C) Grant the hero three wishes
(D) Make the hero invisible
In the folktale “The Story of the Clever Girl,” the girl is able to outsmart the villain by:
(A) Pretending to be stupid
(B) Asking the villain riddles
(C) Telling the villain stories
(D) Singing the villain to sleep
In the folktale “The Story of the Brave Prince,” the prince is able to defeat the villain by:
(A) Using his magic sword
(B) Using his intelligence
(C) Using his courage
(D) Using his love for his people
In the folktale “The Story of the Kind-Hearted Farmer,” the farmer is rewarded for his kindness by:
(A) Being given a magic ring
(B) Being given a beautiful wife
(C) Being given a large farm
(D) Being given a long life
Which of the following is not a folk legend from Chhattisgarh?
(A) The Legend of the White Tiger
(B) The Legend of the Flying Horse
(C) The Legend of the Golden Bird
(D) The Legend of the Talking Tree
In the folk legend “The Legend of the White Tiger,” the white tiger is a symbol of:
(A) Good luck
(B) Evil
(C) Power
(D) Wisdom
In the folk legend “The Legend of the Flying Horse,” the flying horse is a symbol of:
(A) Freedom
(B) Love
(C) Adventure
(D) Death
In the folk legend “The Legend of the Golden Bird,” the golden bird is a symbol of:
(A) Wealth
(B) Happiness
(C) Beauty
(D) Knowledge
In the folk legend “The Legend of the Talking Tree,” the talking tree is a symbol of:
(A) Wisdom
(B) Knowledge
(C) Power
(D) Good luck