Ancient Ballads and Legends: A Picture Gallery of Mythological Figures of Ancient India

Abstract

The native Indian temperament, pantheistic in its make up evinced the love of nature, myths and legends typical of Hindu philosophy. As far as Toru is concerned, she was anxious for the preservation and interpretation of Hindu myths and legends and thus tried to expound the multidimensionality of the Hindu view of life. In her Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan Toru Dutt has successfully striven to interpret the spirit of the East to the West. Tales of ancient Hindu life and mythology are narrated in poems alive with profound sympathy and enthusiasm. Hindu ideals of life and character are presented with force animation and vigour. The cycle of nine legends and ballads strung together in this work must be of considerable interest to every Indian who has any pride in the characters that adorn the mythological gallery bequeathed to him by the ancient bards of this country.”