India, May 17 -- For readers looking to explore Indian folklore beyond the more familiar epics and pantheons, an absorbing place to start is Nitin Kushalappa's book Folktales, Myths and Legends from the Deccan. Rooted in oral storytelling traditions, the collection of 11 narratives brings together legends, myths, and folktales from across the vast region of Deccan. Travelling across Bayaluseeme, Kodagu, Tulunad, Kongu Nadu and beyond, the collection introduces warrior-sorcerers, folk deities, wandering philosophers and human-form goddesses who get immortalised and worshipped as local heroes. Here, divinity feels woven into everyday life rather than distant. Drawing from Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Tulu, Kodava and Malayalam traditions, it offers a richly textured portrait of the Deccan and its underrepresented folklore in mainstream mythology publishing. What makes the book immediately engaging is its glossary and contextual notes that further help readers unfamiliar with regional references. Also, Kushalpa does not approach folklore with academic heaviness but rather presents them in a lucid, approachable style, allowing even younger readers or first-time mythology enthusiasts to enter the world of Deccan legends. The strongest tales emerge where the human and spiritual intersect. The story of Junjappa, a humble cattle herder who becomes a revered spirit after an unjust death, lingers long after the story ends. The Saptamatrkah, seven mother-goddesses protecting communities from famine and calamity, reflect the Deccan's deep-rooted goddess traditions. Yogi Vemana's journey from indulgence to enlightenment adds a reflective, inward layer to the collection. The book faithfully preserves the texture of oral storytelling. The tales are not overly polished into modern fantasy; they retain their rough edges, silences and ambiguities. Gods appear without spectacle, rituals are treated with quiet sincerity, and even landscapes feel alive, almost like characters themselves. That said, readers already well-versed in Indian mythology may find the collection somewhat simplified. Those familiar with the mythologies and legends of southern and central India may also feel that some stories lean more towards verisimilitude and literary reconstruction than folklore preserved organically through oral traditions. A few parallels feel familiar, and certain stories end just when they seem ready to explore deeper philosophical or ritual layers. But perhaps that restraint is intentional. These tales were never meant to be dissected academically. These are meant to be heard, remembered, and retold. Title: Folktales, Myths and Legends from the Deccan Author: Nitin Kushalappa Publisher: Rupa Publications Price: Rs.295...