Indian Folk Literature Complete Guide for exam solution
Always rely on the official IGNOU website (ignou.ac.in)and the Government of India’s scholarship portals for accurate information on any available support.
SUBJECT: English-Indian Folk Literature
Introduction
The IGNOU MEG-16 course: Indian Folk Literature is perhaps the most interesting paper available under the MA English (MEG) program at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). The course gives the student a thorough insight into India’s rich oral and folk heritage, analysing how myths, tales, ballads, songs, and performances mirror cultural values and collective imagination.
Folk literature is not just past tales. It is a living heritage, forming our perception of identity and continuity. Through the study of MEG-16 Indian Folk Literature, learners develop critical awareness of:
How groups communicate their beliefs and customs.
The interaction between oral traditions and written works.
Theories of folklore and their implementation in Indian contexts.
Comparative views of folk traditions within regions.
This blog post is a full study guide for IGNOU MEG-16 students.
What is IGNOU MEG-16: Indian Folk Literature?
The course is created to familiarize learners with folk traditions in India and the theory applied in studying them. It is under the second-year MA English course (MEG).
Objectives of MEG-16
1. Familiarize the students with the idea of folklore and its scholarly study.
2. Study myths, legends, folktales, ballads, and folk drama in India.
3. Study oral traditions and performance studies.
4. Offer a critical perspective on Indian folk literature in translation.
5. Encourage an appreciation of the cultural value of folklore.
Significance of Indian Folk Literature
India is a country of rich cultures, languages, and traditions. Folk literature has maintained the spirit of Indian identity** for centuries. Its significance is in:
Cultural Memory: Maintains traditions, rituals, and customs.
Collective Identity: Unites communities through shared narratives.
Moral Lessons: Folktales tend to have ethical values and lessons for life.
Resistance & Protest: Numerous folk songs and performances have been protesting social injustice.
Aesthetic Expression: Full of rhythm, symbolism, and performance genres.
IGNOU lays a strong focus on this topic because it enables MA English students to critically interact with **non-canonical, oral, and grassroots literary practices.**
IGNOU MEG-16 Syllabus (Indian Folk Literature)
The course is structured in Blocks, with each Block addressing various themes of folk literature.
Block 1: Understanding Folklore
What is Folklore?
Definitions and Theories
Oral Tradition and Cultural Transmission
Folklore, Myth, and History
he Study of Folklore in India
Block 2: Genres of Indian Folk Literature
Myths and Legends
Folktales and Fairy Tales
Ballads and Epics
Folk Songs and Prover
Block 3: Indian Folk Theatre
Forms of Folk Theatre (Jatra, Tamasha, Nautanki, Yakshagana, Therukoothu)
Performance Studies Approach
Theatre and Ritual
Folk Performance and Social Commentary
Block 4: Regional Folk Traditions
North Indian Folklore (Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab)
Eastern Folklore (Bengal, Assam, Odisha)
Southern Folklore (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh)
Tribal Literature and Oral Epics
Block 5: Folk Literature in Translation
Challenges of Translating Folk Literature
Preserving Oral Rhythms in Written Texts
Case Studies of Indian Folktales in English Translation
Folk Tales in Contemporary Adaptations
Study Material for IGNOU MEG-16
IGNOU offers self-learning printed course material** and Gyankosh PDF downloads** for MEG-16.
Besides IGNOU official material, students can avail of:
A.K. Ramanujan’s Folktales from India
The Oral Epics of India” by Stuart Blackburn & Peter J. Claus
Folklore of India by S.K. Chatterjee Audio-visual recordings of folk performances on **YouTube & IGNOU channels
IGNOU MEG-16 Solved Assignment Guide
Assignments are compulsory and have 30% weightage in marking.
Tips for Writing MEG-16 Assignments
1. Write in your own words – Don’t copy verbatim.
2. Add theoretical insights (Propp’s structuralism, functionalism, performance theory).
3. Add examples from Indian traditions – e.g., Panchatantra, Jataka Tales, or local folktales.
4. Present answers structured: Introduction → Critical Discussion → Conclusion.
5. Adhere strictly to word limit and IGNOU format.
IGNOU MEG-16 Exam Pattern
Total Marks: 100 (70 Term-End Exam + 30 Assignments)
Exam Duration: 3 hours
Question Types: Short notes, long analytical essays, critical discussions, and applied questions.
Sample Exam Questions IGNOU solved assignment free
1. Define folklore. Discuss the role of oral tradition in Indian society.
2. Differentiate between folktale, myth, and legend with examples.
3. Write a note on Indian folk theatre with reference to Yoshinaga or Nautanki.
4. Discuss the challenges of translating Indian folk literature into English.
5. Analyze the position of women in Indian folktales and ballads.
Detailed Discussion of Key Topics
1. Myths and Legends
Myths: God stories and mythic creation (e.g., Samudra Manthan, tribe origin myths).
Legends: Half-historical stories (e.g., tales of Raja Harishchandra, Rani Padmini).
These impart collective values and are focal points of MEG-16 analysis.
2. Folktales
Folktales such as Panchatantra and Vikram-Betalare important resources. They emphasize:
Moral lessons
Cultural practices
Archetypes such as trickster, hero, and wise old man.
3. Ballads and Epics
Ballads are narrative songs (e.g., Alh, Pabuji ki Phad, Mappila songs). Tribal epics such as Gopi Chand, Panda Vani, and Telugu oral Ramayana’s* are indispensable for exam preparation.
4. Folk Theatre
Genres such as Yoshinaga (Karnataka),Nautanki (North India), Theropodous (Tamil Nadu) integrate performance, music, dance, and narration. They express social criticism and communal entertainment.
5. Translation Issues
When oral narratives are transcribed, they tend to lose:
Performance context
Cultural metaphors
local idioms and humor
Hence, MEG-16 emphasizes translation studies and contextual understanding
Preparation Strategy for MEG-16 Exams
1. Read IGNOU blocks carefully– They cover theories and case studies.
2. Highlight examples – Use Indian folk tales and performances to enrich answers.
3. Write analytically – Go beyond storytelling, include critical perspectives.
4. Practice previous papers – Helps in structuring long answers.
5. Revise key terms– e.g., folklore, structuralism, performance theory.
Career Scope After Studying Folk Literature
MEG-16 is not just intellectual but also applicable. It paves the way in:
Teaching & Research in literature, anthropology, cultural studies.
Translation & Publishing– Translating folklore into mass readership versions.
Media & Entertainment – Screenwriting derived from folk mythology.
Cultural Preservation NGOs – Collaboration with heritage documentation initiatives.
Final Thoughts
GNOU MEG-16: Indian Folk Literature is a fulfilling and enriching course. It enables MA English students to move beyond canonical texts and connect with the living traditions of India. Through systematic study of syllabus blocks, solved assignments, and exam papers, students can secure high scores while gaining profound insights into India’s cultural diversity.
Through the combination of folklore studies with contemporary theories and actual performances, IGNOU makes students not only exam passers, but also cultural interpreters.
Chapter-wise summaries.
Sample solved assignment solutions.
Case studies of folk theatre (Yoshinaga, Tamasha, Nautanki).
Additional examples of epics, legends, and myths for each region in India.