In the Labyrinth of Fables: Traces of Panchatantra in Georgian Literary and Oral Narrative Tradition

Abstract

"In Georgia, the fables of Panchatantra are well-known through the book of Kalila and Dimna. However, some rare examples of direct parallels with the fables of Panchatantra appeared in Georgian literary sources and folk oral narratives. Next to the brief history of Panchatantras’s journey through centuries, and an overview of Georgian historical chronicles Kartlis Tskhovreba (The Life of Kartli), A Book of Wisdom and Lies by Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani, and Georgian folktales outline the transformations of some fables from Panchatantra in Georgia. The paper examines the role of animals in the fables in general, and shows the ways of interpretations on the example of the theme of ingratitude in context of European and Oriental narrative traditions. "