Overview

Pabuji is a Rajput warrior prince from a small and insignificant kingdom, and a celibate ascetic who shuns the company of women, preferring instead to ride with his chieftains and perform miraculous deeds for Deval, an incarnation of the great Goddess. This book provides the historical and mythological background to the story of Pabuji, the hero of a medieval epic poem which is still performed in India today by itinerant bards. Nuptial rites and Pabuji's own marriage are closely examined here, with parallels drawn with present day wedding ceremonies, which are essentially unchanged, and their impact on the modern day bride and groom. While maintaining high standards of academic rigour and thoroughness in the collection of data, this book renders the subject accessible, retelling Pabuji's exciting and often humorous adventures in its analysis of the epic tale.

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9781527520608

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Reviews

The structure of the book is well conceived: situating the narrative in the framework of Indian history, society and culture, and elucidating the epic's structure and meaning by explaining its beliefs, actions and objects and relating them to the particulars of the performers' and audiences' cultural background testify to the scientific value and academic quality of the research. The Author proves to be fully aware that anthropological fieldwork is needed to supply the social context of the epic and its performance, and to clarify its function in the community for performers and audience alike... Umberto Mondini's book is a relevant contribution to our growing knowledge and understanding of Indian folk art, the multiple dimensions of oral performance, and the intertwining of story and ritual practice in living religious traditions. Maria Angelillo

Author Information

Umberto Mondini teaches History of Religions at the Pontificia Salesiana University in Rome, is Coordinator of the History of Religions International Seminars with the Cornaro Art Institute in Limassol, Cyprus, and President of the International Centre for Studies of Arts and Humanities. He taught History of Religions and Tribal Religions of India at the Sapienza University in Rome, and is the author of several books in this field, including Indian Divinities: Ganesh, Analysis of a Mythopoetic Phenomenon in Pre-Vedic India (2000); From the Belly of the Whale to the Shadow of the Gourd, A Historical-Religious Analysis of a Prophetic Book (2005); Jonah and the Fish, an Excursion through the Minor Prophets (2005); The Raika, Camel Herders of Rajasthan (2008); and The Epic of Pabuji: The Nuptial Ceremonies (2013).

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