Tiger Cult of the Sundarvans

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction : The object and scope of study. 2. Field situation--A : Shrines relating to the tiger-associated deities. 3. Field situation - B : Observations of the jungle visitors. 4. Organisation of field material. 5. Expressive action in cult rituals. 6. The texts. 7. Discussion on text. 8. Concluding remarks. Bibliography.

"The present treatise highlights the findings of a fieldwork on tiger cult undertaken by the author, in two phases, in the Sundarvans that lies within the limits of the moribund Gangetic delta in west Bengal. As a sequel to the author\'s erstwhile publication, aspects of folk cults in south Bengal, this book makes a thorough study of a living cult that reveals the decade long probing of the author in the man : nature : supernature complex in which tiger stands unequivocally the central figure of attraction. While presenting an excellent collection of data this book shows how the message of metaphysical power is transmitted through symbol-based rituals in the body of worldly systems and how the role of expressive action that gets channelised through the network of a queerly ordered verbal-repertoire, ensures the survival of the staggering moves of the people who roam in the Sundarvans for their subsistence.

"This besides, the book also deserves attention of those who value the literary cliche of cult tradition. Two representative versions of the cult-worship viz., Roymangal and Banabibir Jahurnama, have very nicely shown how they voiced the consequence of political change in the region where Dakshin Roy had to share his power with Muslim protagonists Banabibi. These narrative poems have displayed much of socio-historical facts that will help the future researches to construct the cultural history of lower rural Bengal of late medieval age." (jacket)