516. TRADITIONAL AND TIMELESS STORIES: STORYTELLING FORMS FROM INDIA

Manju Prasad-Rao

(A Special Session via Zoom)

Traditional and sacred Indian stories, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, as well as secular stories from the Panchatantra and Jatakas, are enjoyable and exemplify niti, or the wise conduct of life. These stories of valor and courage destroy evil, dispel darkness, and usher in light and goodness. Some of these stories are preserved in families and handed down orally from one generation to the next. They are also recited and performed by professional storytellers at festivals and occasions marked by happiness and togetherness. Merit is acquired through the telling, listening to, and the retelling of these sacred stories. These timeless stories, etched in stone, painted on walls, and often accompanied by dance, music, and mime, have adapted to the needs of the audience. They are now popular in formats such as comic books, podcasts, and TV Serials.

In this presentation, we will examine the continuity of these stories, their flexible formats, and their journey and influence in other countries such as Indonesia, Persia, and Europe.

1:00 – 3:00 p.m.                                                                                                        1 Session

Tuesday, December 9                                                                                               Fee:  $20

Note: A Zoom Link will be sent to you at least one day prior to the first day of class and again on a weekly basis prior to each successive class if there is a series.

ABOUT THE LECTURER

Manju Prasad-Rao is a dancer/storyteller and teacher of Indian Classic Dance/Arts. She has lectured and performed at museums, libraries, and cultural centers such as: The American Museum of Natural History, The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, Matagiri Sri Aurobindo Center, The Port Washington Library, Queens Borough Public Library, N. Merrick Library, Shelter Rock Library, etc. Ms. Prasad-Rao has also offered India-related courses at Indiana University, New York University, and numerous others. She recently retired as an Assoc. Prof. and head of the Instructional Media Department for a local university library. She currently serves as an advisor for the American Library Association’s project National Impact of Library Public Programs Assessment: Phase 2 (NILPPA). The project explores the growing area of library programming and community partnerships, and analyzes the key indicators that demonstrate the impacts of library programming.