Caleb Simmons, "Singing the Goddess Into Place: Locality, Myth, and Social Change in Chamundi of the Hill, a Kannada Folk Ballad" (SUNY Press, 2022)
Aug 18, 2022
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Caleb Simmons, an expert in folklore and narrative traditions, discusses how folk narratives in a Kannada folk ballad reflect local context and challenge social inequities. The podcast explores themes of locality, caste importance, social change advocacy, and the significance of myths in addressing broader societal issues.
Folk narratives reflect local context and challenge social inequities.
Study of the goddess Chamundi reveals multifaceted depictions, symbolizing societal transformation.
Deep dives
Overview of Dr. Simmons' Book on Chamundi
Dr. Caleb Simmons discusses his book, Singing the Goddess into Place, focusing on a folk ballad about the goddess Chamundi in Mysore. The book explores the romantic comedy narrative, interwoven with societal themes like caste dynamics, marriage rules, and social change. Through an ethnohistorical lens, Dr. Simmons examines the dynamic song's cultural significance and evolution over time.
Folklore Research Methods and Ethnohistorical Perspective
Dr. Simmons delves into his research methods, emphasizing his focus on the folk ballad as a text rather than musical analysis. He highlights the challenges of studying songs without a musicological background, relying on literary and ethnohistorical approaches to understand the folk narrative's cultural depth and transformations over decades.
Exploring Themes of Social Change and Mythological Context
The podcast conversation uncovers the book's exploration of myth, locality, and social change embedded in the folk ballad. Dr. Simmons reflects on how the narrative intertwines mythological elements with contemporary notions of social transformation, shifting the narrative towards advocating for societal change within the contextual framework of the goddess Chamundi.
Reflections on Representation of Goddess Chamundi
Dr. Simmons provides insights into the multifaceted portrayal of the goddess Chamundi, highlighting her depiction ranging from domestic to fierce aspects. He discusses the nuanced understanding of Chamundi's character, especially during the festival of Navaratri, where the goddess's representation transforms to embody both docile and fierce attributes, reflecting complex dimensions of divinity.
Singing the Goddess Into Place: Locality, Myth, and Social Change in Chamundi of the Hill, a Kannada Folk Ballad(SUNY Press, 2022) demonstrates how folk narratives reflect local context while also actively working to upend social inequities based on caste and ritual/devotional practices. By delving into this world, the book helps us understand how a landscape is transformed through people's relationship with it and how this relationship helps build meaning for the communities that call it home.
Raj Balkaran is a scholar, online educator, and life coach. For information see rajbalkaran.com.