120. R Manjushree

Abstract 120. R Manjushree

Intensification of Children’s Literature in India

Indian sub-continent is rich in tales, folktales, fairytales and fables and these are main source for the development of stories for children.  The Indian Sub-continent comprises five major countries: India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. “The oral tradition of children’s literature goes back more than five thousand years, and the world’s oldest collection of stories for children, India’s Panchatantra, derives from this.  In these countries, the child has remained an integral part of the family, the nucleus of community life, and art and literature have developed for the enjoyment of the entire family.  Only in recent times has the child gained a separate identity and this is reflected in modern literature for children.  The concept of children’s literature as a separate discipline has come from the west; contact with European countries and particularly with England and the English language, has led to the growth of modern literature for children.  The English language still enjoys a privileged status in these counties.”(Hunt: 1996) With this the paper discusses about the achievements and challenges faced in the area of children’s Literature in India, its identity, its growth and development. Children’s Literature in Ancient India, medieval and modern India, and in contemporary India.