Across the rugged terrain of the vast Deccan, stories have endured for centuries on the strength ofa vibrant oral storytelling tradition. The Deccan—that encompasses the sprawling plateau, fertilecoastal plains, undulating hills and dense forest belts—is where heroic ballads, sung epics, possessionrituals and other immersive traditions have flourished through the generations.

Nitin Kushalappa gathers ten powerful narratives and offers a rare glimpse into a region that’s hometo dozens of languages and dialects—as varied as the stories born of them. Here, local heroes areworshipped as deities, warriors are immortalized and goddesses walk the earth in human form.

From the dry plains of Bayaluseeme comes the tale of Junjappa, the herdsman-hero, who risesfrom death and becomes a folk deity. In the mist-laden mountains of Kodagu unfolds the legend ofwarrior-sorcerer Kalyat Ponnappa, who masters magic to defend his people. Koti and Chennaya, thedivine twins from the coastal lands of Tulunād, reshape the destiny of their clan. From the forestsof Chhattisgarh comes the haunting ballad of Lorik and Chandaini—a tale of forbidden love. Themyth of twelve abandoned children explains the origins of entire communities in ancient Kerala.

Beyond these, Folktales, Myths and Legends from the Deccan also offers other fictional retellingsthat move across linguistic and cultural borders. The lone non-fiction ethnographic narrative inthe collection explores the ancient tradition of seven mother-goddesses, long feared and revered byDeccan’s people.

Meticulously researched and written with deep sensitivity, Kushalappa transforms the region’s oralhistories into lyrical stories that reveal a landscape as brutal as it is magical

Publisher: Rupa Publications India

Author: Nitin Kushalappa

Pages: 184

ISBN: 9789376461677

Publication Date: 05 March 2026