The Art and Literature of Banjara Lambanis Book Review

Dr. D. B. Naik’s work offers a comprehensive exploration of the folk traditions—songs, tales, proverbs, riddles, and visual arts—of the Banjara Lambani community, a historically nomadic tribe of India. The author meticulously maps out the oral literature and artistic expressions that define their rich cultural heritage.

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What Stands Out

• Depth and Scope
  Naik dives into an impressive range of cultural elements—narrative songs, folk tales, proverbs, riddles, traditional dance, Rangoli, embroidery, tattooing, and folk drama—bringing them into scholarly focus in one volume.
• Academic Rigor Meets Accessibility
  The book is written with academic precision—including notes, glossary, bibliography, and index—yet remains approachable for general readers. An ideal mix for both scholars and culture enthusiasts.
• A Realm of Study for a Lifetime
  Naik himself describes the world of Lambani oral tradition as “a realm of study in which one could spend a lifetime with pleasure,” reflecting the book’s immersive and exploratory nature.

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Why It Matters

This volume is one of the few comprehensive works that document Banjara Lambani heritage in such dramatic breadth. It offers insight into India’s folk cultures often overlooked by mainstream anthropology and literature.

Embroidery, rangoli, and tattooing—deeply embedded in the tribe’s identity—receive much-deserved attention here. Their rich ornamentation traditions, including mirror-work embroidery (Lep) and geometric Rangoli patterns, are cultural treasures recognized for their aesthetic and ethnographic value.

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Who Should Read It?

• Folklore researchers and anthropologists, for its thorough documentation and academic structure.
• Cultural preservationists and art historians, for its comprehensive descriptions of visual traditions and folk artistry.
• General readers interested in India’s tribal heritage—it’s scholarly without being inaccessible.
• Educators and students seeking deeper understanding of oral tradition, craft, and the Banjara community.

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Summary

Dr. Naik’s The Art and Literature of Banjara Lambanis is a richly layered, academic yet inviting documentation of the Banjara Lambani people’s folk traditions. Whether you’re drawn to oral literature, tribal art, or cultural anthropology, this book offers both depth and approachability. It is truly “highly useful to the academics and interesting to the laymen.”