Introduction

Kashmir has an inexhaustible fund of folk-tales - the popular component of the "literature of the people", as folklore has been aptly characterised. Folk-tales of Kashmir, like "Himal and Nagraya" and "Zohra Khotan and Haya Bund" are distinctly Kashmiri in origin. Naga or snake also means a spring in Kashmir, both feature picturesquely in the Nagraya tale. The snake and the spring recur in the "Magic Ring" story. "Shabrang, the Prince Thief" has delightful replicas in Dravidian and Chinese tales. In the Zohra Khotan tale, Zohra, a famed beauty, is relentlessly pursued by a rich merchant; she shapes a clay head and invokes God to transform it into a replica of her own head. The miracle dummy, complete with dripping blood, is presented to the merchant.

The 'Wily Dervish' is outwitted-to the bitter end. Find it out for yourself. Similarly, in "The Tailor and the Jinns" the smart tailor, aided by a weaver, outwits the Jinns; they come away from the forest loaded with gold and jewels and live happily ever after as do most characters in fairy tales.

The Dogri and Ladakhi folk-tales--current in the regions of Jammu and Ladakh in the Jammu & Kashmir State- have a distinct flavour, reflecting the customs, rites and superstitions of these areas. A sampling of these tales is presented to complete the composite cultural spectrum of the Valley.

Altogether, the collection of these folk-tales should prove a source of abiding pleasure to all those, in India and abroad, who are interested in the folk literature of the northernmost state of our country as part of our rich national cultural heritage.