Call for Papers: Stories and Sacredness: Reimagining Myth and Folklore Across Indian Cultures

(Proposed as Part of Palgrave Studies in Global Literatures and Religions)

Editors:

Dr. Rajkumar Bera, Assistant Professor, Dept. of English, Midnapore City College, West Bengal

Dr. Sakti Sekhar Dash, Fellow of Social Science Research Council, USA

Overview:
In the rich cultural tapestry of India, myths and folklore occupy a central space, weaving through the everyday lives of people, shaping identities, morals, and spiritual practices. The power of these stories lies not only in their ancient origins but in their ability to evolve, adapt, and resonate across generations. Sacredness, a core feature of these narratives, is not confined to religious rituals but is embedded in the very fabric of storytelling itself. Across India’s diverse linguistic, cultural, and religious landscapes, myths and folklore continue to reimagine the sacred, providing a bridge between the past and the present.

Introduction

Indian myths and folklore are not just ancient relics of a bygone era; they are living, evolving narratives that continue to shape identities, beliefs, and cultures. The sacredness of these stories lies not only in their spiritual dimensions but also in their ability to adapt and resonate across generations. From the well-known epics of the Ramayana and Mahabharata to regional folk tales, these stories have been reimagined, retold, and reinterpreted through various lenses of modernity.

This edited volume seeks to explore how Indian myths, folktales, and sacred stories continue to play a transformative role in contemporary Indian culture, literature, and spirituality. We invite scholars, researchers, artists, and cultural practitioners to submit papers that examine the dynamic relationship between myth, sacredness, and cultural reimagination in India. This edited volume will provide a platform for critical conversations about how traditional stories are being reinterpreted in the modern world and their ongoing relevance in shaping both individual and collective identities.

Background and Rationale

The concept of sacredness in Indian culture is multifaceted, blending divine intervention, moral teachings, cosmological explanations, and a sense of belonging to a larger cosmic order. Sacredness is embodied through myths and stories of gods, goddesses, heroes, and sages who exemplify principles such as dharma (righteousness), karma (action and its consequences), and moksha (liberation). These narratives are not just theological texts; they shape the values and conduct of individuals and communities.

In the great epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, sacredness transcends the religious realm, influencing social, moral, and cultural life. For example, the story of Lord Rama in the Ramayana represents the battle between good and evil, but also the moral responsibilities of individuals within a community. Regional folklore, such as the stories of local deities in Tamil Nadu, reflects sacredness through community rituals, festivals, and agricultural cycles, linking the divine to daily life and interactions with nature.

In contemporary India, these myths and folklore are reimagined in literature, cinema, and digital media to reflect modern concerns and engage younger generations. Writers like R.K. Narayan and Arundhati Roy, as well as filmmakers like Satyajit Ray and Anurag Kashyap, adapt traditional narratives to address themes like identity, social justice, and personal struggles. In the digital age, platforms like graphic novels, podcasts, and YouTube channels enable younger audiences to engage with these stories, reshaping them to suit contemporary needs while preserving their sacred essence.

India’s regional diversity is crucial in the reimagining of myths. Each region's folklore reflects local culture, history, and religious practices, offering unique interpretations of sacred stories. For instance, in central India, myths connected to nature and the environment offer a commentary on ecological sustainability, while in coastal regions, deities like Durga and Kadalamma are worshipped as protectors of livelihoods and communities, linking the sacred directly to daily life.

Aim and Objectives:

The primary aim of Stories and Sacredness: Reimagining Myth and Folklore Across Indian Cultures is to explore the evolving relationship between Indian myths, folklore, and the concept of sacredness in contemporary society. This work seeks to understand how traditional sacred stories continue to shape modern identities, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs, while adapting to the changing socio-political and technological landscapes of India.

Objectives:

1. Examine the Sacred Nature of Indian Myths and Folklore:

• To explore the ways in which sacredness is embedded in Indian myths and folktales and how these narratives inform the moral, spiritual, and cultural practices of Indian society.

1. Reimagine the Role of Sacred Narratives in Contemporary Culture:

• To analyze how these traditional stories are reinterpreted, adapted, and retold in modern mediums such as literature, cinema, and digital platforms. This includes examining how sacredness is maintained or transformed in these reimaginings.

1. Understand Regional Variations in Sacred Stories:

• To highlight the diverse regional myths and folklore across India, demonstrating how sacredness is expressed differently in local contexts and how these stories are interwoven with the cultural and social fabric of various communities.

1. Investigate the Role of Indian Myths in Global Contexts:

• To explore how Indian myths and folklore are being adapted and appreciated outside India, particularly within the Indian diaspora and global pop culture, and what this global reach means for the reimagination of the sacred.

1. Promote Critical Conversations on the Intersection of Myth, Identity, and Society:

• To encourage discussions on how mythology shapes individual and collective identities in modern India, influencing politics, gender, social justice, and community-building, while maintaining its sacred relevance.

1. Contribute to the Preservation and Evolution of Traditional Narratives:

• To offer insights on how the sacredness of myth and folklore can be preserved and reimagined for future generations, ensuring that these stories continue to have a meaningful impact on culture and society in both traditional and contemporary forms.

Sub-themes and Topics of Interest

We welcome submissions that address, but are not limited to the following themes:

• Reimagining divine narratives in Indian society and culture
• The intersection of Indian faith and folklore
• Local Indian legends and global echoes
• Magic, myth and mortality in India
• Sacred spaces and mythical realms in India
• Cultural syncretism in Indian myth
• The role of oral tradition in preserving Indian legends
• The transformation of Deities and Divinities in Indian popular culture
• Indian Folk heroes and anti-heroes
• Ancient wisdom in Indian folklore and myths
• The hero’s journey in Indian epics
• The lost and recovered stories of India
• Indian folk tales of creation and construction
• The power of legends in shaping the Indian identity
• Modern adaptations of traditional Indian myths

Submission Guidelines:

Please send your abstracts (250 words) in addition to your brief biography (100 words) to the editors through email. Your abstract must include a tentative title of the chapter and five to seven keywords.

Email: cfp.storiesandsacredness@gmail.com

Important Dates:

Submission of Abstract: 15 April, 2025

Notification of Acceptance: 30April, 2025

The submission deadline for the full chapters is 31 October, 2025.

The chapters should be between 5000-7000 words (included works cited and notes), using the Chicago Manual of Style: author-date system.

This call is issued for a volume within the Palgrave Studies in Global Literatures and Religions book series and the series editor, Heather Ostman has shared her interest in publishing this edited volume.

About the Editors:

Dr. Rajkumar Bera is presently working as an assistant professor of English at Midnapore City College, affiliated to Vidyasagar University, West Bengal. He has taught at different institutions such as Ravenshaw University in Odisha, K.D. College of Commerce and General Studies and Midnapore College under Vidyasagar University, West Bengal. His areas of interests are Indian Writings in English, Diasporic Literature, Literary Theory and Criticism, Environmental Studies and New Literatures. He has published many national and international articles and book chapters in different reputed journals and edited volumes. He is now working as a PhD supervisor at the same institution.

Dr. Sakti Sekhar Dash is a Fellow of Social Science Research Council, Open Association of Research Society, USA. He holds a PhD from Ravenshaw University, India. He has a keen interest in studying the myths, legends and folklore of different cultures. An experienced educator and honorary member of Illinois Medieval Association, he has served as the editor-in-chief of an international peer-reviewed journal. He has extensively written and published on a diverse range of topics, including, modernism, Greek drama, environmental studies, Theatre of the Absurd, and Shakespearean drama. His writings have featured in edited volumes published by reputed publishing houses like Salem Press, Vernon Press and Cambridge Scholars Publishing.