Artur Karp
The Polish Journal of the Arts and Culture. New Series, 13 (1/2021), 2021, pp. 67 - 85
https://doi.org/10.4467/24506249PJ.21.004.13731Scientific articles often start with the phrase: “The purpose of this article is to examine facts related to…” The content of this paper does not stem from an attempt to render afresh freely available, irrefutable data. Its purpose is to present a new interpretation of specific motifs present in the Indian epic tradition – based mainly on data obtained from reconstructions or facts in potentia. The following paragraphs delineate the unfolding of work undertaken long ago, started but not yet finished.
The conclusions presented in this paper are in their nature preliminary. They form hypothetical assumptions and, as such, should be treated as research postulates.
Artur Karp
The Polish Journal of the Arts and Culture. New Series, 14 (2/2021), 2021, pp. 137 - 180
https://doi.org/10.4467/24506249PJ.21.021.15327Artur Karp
The Polish Journal of the Arts and Culture. New Series, 9 (1/2019), 2019, pp. 7 - 25
https://doi.org/10.4467/24506249PJ.19.001.11133In present-day India magic is not a theoretical construct. Practiced as witchcraft, it has its self-appointed officials and procedures. It is also manifest, most tellingly, in the easy availability of the cheap editions of what may, with some reservations, be termed as manuals of magic. The activation of religiosity characteristic of Indian tribal communities, to which most of the currently favorite magical rituals can be traced, is a not-so unique answer to the violence inherent in the social, economic, and political life of the nation. The methods of con- trolling complex reality presented in those manuals revive traditional cultural patterns, nd may thus restore feelings of participation and justified agency to their users.