Women Who Act: Asian-Pacific Folktales

Welcome... Sit down, make yourself comfortable and listen to this evening's se;ection of stories old and new from the Asia-Pacific about women who have a sense of themselves, who use their wits and who take charge...

Order of Stories:

Tokoyo & the Sea Monster (Japanese) 

Bopoluchi (Indian)

Parvtibai vs. the Dacoits (Indian) 

The Story of Savitri (Indian)

Puteri Gunung Ledang, or the Fairy Princess of Mount Ophir (Malay)

Escape from the Oni (Japanese)

Hina (Polynesian)

Folktales are stories rooted in a particular culture for people to enjoy and learn from. Hence, folktales are meant for adults as well, not just children; many foltales abound with themes, concerns and protagonists that appeal to mature audiences.

Although women are often represented as passive characters, there exist heart-warming folktales of strong women too. So come and listen to a selection of stories old and new from the Asia-Pacific about women who have a sense of themselves, who use their wits and who take charge. Don't come if you want stories of pretty maidens waiting for men to come and marry or save them, or of wilting mistresses that die of shame when robbed of their honour...

Featured Tellers:

Verena Tay

Kamini Ramachandran

Madanarathi