Oral Storytelling Traditions in Raja Rao's Kanthapura
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
English Literature
Minor
Creative Writing
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Cyzewski
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Raja Rao's Kanthapura utilizes several different Southern Indian oral storytelling traditions including the harikatha and sthala-purana. Rao evokes these different methods primarily with the unique hybrid Indian-English dialect in the narration. Several aspects create this new English including honorary language, naming conventions of characters, and localisms of the Southern Indian language Kannada. All of these devices illustrate the local and the national influences on language and religious practices that form the distinct harikatha and Rao's coined term sthala-purana.
Spring Scholars Week 2026
English and Philosophy Panel
Oral Storytelling Traditions in Raja Rao's Kanthapura
Raja Rao's Kanthapura utilizes several different Southern Indian oral storytelling traditions including the harikatha and sthala-purana. Rao evokes these different methods primarily with the unique hybrid Indian-English dialect in the narration. Several aspects create this new English including honorary language, naming conventions of characters, and localisms of the Southern Indian language Kannada. All of these devices illustrate the local and the national influences on language and religious practices that form the distinct harikatha and Rao's coined term sthala-purana.