Ritual Recitations: Language Competence, Performance, and Cultural Survival in South Bengal’s Mangal-Kāvyas

Abstract

This paper examines the pivotal role of oral tradition in preserving linguistic and cultural identity through an in-depth study of the Mangal-Kāvyas of South Bengal. As ritualistic narrative poems extolling local deities, the Mangal-Kāvyas serve not only religious and devotional functions but also act as living repositories of vernacular language forms, indigenous worldviews, and collective memory. Focusing on the dynamics of ritual recitation, the paper explores how these performative practices maintain language competence among communities, particularly in rural Bengal, where oral culture continues to mediate knowledge and social values. By analyzing key examples such as the Chandī-Mangal and Manasā-Mangal, the study highlights how stylistic features—like rhythmic repetitions, formulaic expressions, and dialogic structures—enhance both the memorability and transmissibility of the texts. The paper critically reflects on the socio-cultural contexts in which the Mangal-Kāvyas are performed, demonstrating how oral performance transforms static literary texts into dynamic communal events. These performances not only reinforce language skills across generations but also create spaces for negotiation between tradition and evolving cultural identities. In an era of linguistic homogenization and cultural standardization, the ritual recitation of the Mangal-Kāvyas embodies a subtle yet powerful form of cultural resistance and resilience. The study further argues that orality is not a mere pre-literary residue but an adaptive, creative force that ensures the survival of marginalized languages and traditions. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining literary analysis, performance theory, and linguistic anthropology, this paper sheds light on how the Mangal-Kāvyas continue to sustain the cultural fabric of South Bengal. By preserving oral traditions, communities assert their right to linguistic and cultural self-definition, highlighting the enduring relevance of ritual performance in the struggle for cultural survival.