Folk Festivals of Mithila

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Back of the Book:

Folk Festivals of Mithila explores the glamour and glory of the traditions of Mithila in a fascinating style. The author has done a commendable job indeed.

- The Rising Nepal

Dr. Rakesh, an author of highly acclaimed books such as the "Cultural Heritage of Nepal Tear", has, in his recent undertaking shed light on the folk festivals of Mithila.

- The Spotlight

About the Author:

DR. RAM DAYAL RAKESH is a well-established author on the cultural and Literary aspects of Nepal. He has taught for twenty five years in Tribhuvan University and has more than a dozen of books to his credit. His other two books on Mithila are "CULTURAL HERITAGE OF NEPAL TERAI" and "FOLKTALES FROM MITHILA".

DR. RAKESH is presently working as the Director, Curriculum Development Centre, Ministry of Education, HMG, Nepal.

Preface

Mithila is a legendary land of folk festivals and fairs. There is continuous flow of interrelated festivals throughout the year and it is literally a way of life for them, reflecting their joys and fears, hopes and frustrations, dreams and sorrows. The festivals mark the changing seasons, they become a calendar, giving continuity and meaning to their lives. They strengthen the vital bonds between individual members of the community.

The traditional life of Mithila has survived innumerable vicissitudes of history mainly because of its social organisation. It is based on the village community where women have their clearly defined roles, but beyond the confines of their homes, they play a very prominent role in organising festivals and fairs, giving vent to their creativity to the best of their abilities.

The communal village life derives its strength from frequent social gatherings, conventional story-telling, dancing and singing, festivities and ceremonies, processions and rituals. A variety of beliefs have found acceptance among the people from time immemorial. They range from Hinduism and folk-Buddhism to popular folk-tales.

The festivals of Mithila are a result of communal spiritual experience. They should be approached not as an aesthetic phenomenon, but as a manifestation of a collective mind, representing thousands of years of collective experience. Their simple life-styles are like their paintings in which vivid colors are applied with simple bamboo brushes and yet they produce a most amazing and distinctive result.

The book records the colourful pageantry of the festivals of Mithila. Considering the gradual encroachment of modern civilization, the importance of the book can hardly be exaggerated as exposure to modern ways may eventually bring about the demise of this exquisite culture.
The author has attempted to present a true picture of Mithila, her people and festivals.