Expression of Subdued Voices in Select Folktales of Kashmir: A Subaltern Approach

Abstract

Abstract Certain voices in society and history fade away with the passage of time because they lack the freedom of expression. These are typically the voices of the oppressed or subjugated section of the society. Their voices, however, can be heard in literature as they subsequently turn to it to articulate their thoughts, and folk literature or folklore is no exception in this regard. Drawing inspiration from the subaltern perspective, this paper argues that folktales of Kashmir gave voice to the subaltern of the Kashmiri society. For this purpose, it examines three Kashmiri folktales titled The Tale of the Farmer’s Wife and the Honey-Bee, The Story of A Weaver, and The Clever Jackal following a subaltern approach to demonstrate how themes, narratives, and characters represent the subdued voices.