Feb 14 • 12:12 UTC 🇮🇳 India Aaj Tak (Hindi)

'If there is dedication, then Shiva will also have to come,' Malini Awasthi explained love through folk tales

'If there is dedication, then Shiva will also have to come,' Malini Awasthi discussed the cultural significance of love through folk songs during a session in Lucknow.

During the 'Sahitya Aaj Tak' event in Lucknow, celebrated folk singer Malini Awasthi spoke about the profound representation of love in Indian folklore and culture. The session, themed 'Narrow Lane of Love - Love in Folk Music', highlighted how love serves as a festival within our cultural tradition, emphasizing its importance in both literature and daily life.

Awasthi elaborated on the depiction of love in ancient texts and folk tales, mentioning that Lucknow is a city deeply rooted in the essence of love. She underscored that cultural narratives, like those found in the Ramcharitmanas or the stories of Radha and Krishna, are not merely religious but are significant cultural creations that illustrate the notion of love as a central emotional experience. She articulated how these narratives inform the way love is perceived and celebrated within Indian culture.

Additionally, Awasthi highlighted a specific example from the Treta Yuga, where Lord Ram, who had three queens, vowed fidelity to his wife Sita, setting an example of love that is devoted and exclusive. This historical reference solidifies the foundational role of love in social and cultural contexts and reiterates Awasthi's assertion that love forms the core essence of Indian identity, establishing cultural values that resonate through generations.

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