Table of Contents

Contents
Prefacexi
Map of South Indiaxiii
Introductionxv
Color Photographs 1
WELCOME TO SOUTH INDIA1The Land 2
Cultural Characteristics, Roots, and Values 2
A Brief History 3
Early Years 3
Great Kingdoms, Great Learning 4
British Rule 6
Independence 7
South India Today 7
South Indian States, an Overview 9
Tamil Nadu 9
Andhra Pradesh 10
Karnataka 11
Kerala 12
Religious Roots 13
The Various Religions 13
Paths of Hinduism 14
Reforms in Hinduism 15
The Arts of South India 16
Dance 16
Theater Arts 17
Music 17
Martial Arts and Yoga 18
Visual Arts and Crafts 19
Daily Life in South India 20
vii
CONTENTS2 GLIMPSES OF SOUTH INDIAN TELLING25Range of Storytelling Styles 26
Kathaprasangam 26
Burra Katha 26
Chakyar Kuttu and Ottan Thullal 27
Two More Styles: Public and Private 27
Tools of South Indian Telling 30
Language 30
Gestures 32
Music 33
Improvisation, Humor, and Repetition 34
Props 36
Setting 393
VALUE OF SIMPLICITY, PROBLEM OF GREED41Serving with Care 42
The Greedy Guest 43
Soma and Bhima 46
Great Wealth, Great Pride 484
DEVOTION AND FAITH51Lives of the Prophets 53
Worship of Great and Small 55
Druva 57
The Great Battle 61
A Tale of Dharma 63
What Is Real? 66The Right Time 68
Telling the Future 695
RESPECT FOR FAMILY AND ELDERS71Who Will Win 72
A Devoted Son 73
Strange Fruit 75
My Son, Your Son 78
A Teacher ’s Skill 79
viii
CONTENTS6 HOSPITALITY AND FRIENDSHIP81Yes Dear, Do 82
The Loyal Parrot 86
A Guest Is Always Welcome 87
Krishna and Sudama 897
HARD WORK AND STUDY91A Pot of Dreams 92
King ’s Questions 94
Mouse Merchant 95
The Guru 98
The Squirrel ’s Stripes 1008
HEROES AND INSPIRATION101The Elephant King 102
King Kumanan 106
The Bell of Justice 109
Avvaiyar ’s Rest 111
Obavva of the Pestle 112
Resisting the British: Rani Channamma 114
Ramanujan 1169
WIT AND HUMOR119Tricksters and Tricks 120
Tenali Raman 120
A Queenly Yawn 120
Sweet Sorrow 121
Golden Mangoes 122
Still More Tricks 123
A Real Bargain 123
The Fish Curry 124
Fools 126
Crossing the River 126
A Modern Fool 127
Modern Jokes 128
One Sad Story 128
The Shy Soldier 129
Thin Milk 130
The Making of a Sword 130
ix
Contents
Appendix 131
South Indian Festivals 131
Resources 135
Glossary 139
Notes on Story Sources and Motifs 143
Bibliography 153
For Adults 153
For Children 156
Thematic Index 157
Index 159
About the Authors 171
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CONTENTS