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 readers to warrior-sorcerers, folk deities, wandering philosophers and goddesses in human form who get immortalised and worshipped as local heroes. Drawing from multiple linguistic and cultural traditions including Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Tulu, Kodava and Malayalam, the author creates a textured portrait of a region whose folklore that often remained underrepresented. What makes the book immediately engaging is its glossary and contextual notes that further help readers unfamiliar with regional references. Also, Kushalappa 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. Some of the strongest tales emerge from this interplay between the spiritual and the human. The story of Junjappa, a humble cattle herder who returns as a revered spirit after an unjust death, lingers long after it ends. Equally compelling is the narrative around Yogi Vemana, whose transformation from indulgence to enlightenment gives the collection one of its more introspective moments. In fact, the author's strength lies in the way he preserves the atmosphere surrounding these tales. The stories do not feel polished into modern fantasy and retain the quiet mysteries that oral traditions often carry. That said, readers already deeply immersed in Indian mythology or folklore studies may occasionally find this literary archive somewhat simplified. Some stories lean more towards verisimilitude and literary reconstruction than folklore preserved organically through oral traditions. Certain parallels between narratives feel familiar, and some stories end just when one wishes they would delve deeper into the philosophical or ritualistic layers behind them. 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...