Rethinking India's Oral and Classical Epics: Draupadi among Rajputs, Muslims, and Dalits

Alf Hiltebeitel’s *Rethinking India's Oral and Classical Epics: Draupadi among Rajputs, Muslims, and Dalits* stands as a seminal work, showcasing his unparalleled depth of scholarship on the Mahabharata and its vibrant, multifaceted life beyond the Sanskrit text. This volume meticulously traces the character of Draupadi, not merely as a figure from the classical epic, but as a dynamic entity reinterpreted and revered within diverse regional and community traditions. Hiltebeitel masterfully combines rigorous textual analysis with extensive ethnographic fieldwork, revealing how oral narratives and local cults engage with, transform, and expand upon the canonical Sanskrit version of the epic. It is precisely this innovative methodology – marrying philological precision with a profound appreciation for lived religion and subaltern voices – that marks *Rethinking India's Oral and Classical Epics* as a prime example of Hiltebeitel’s best work. By demonstrating how communities like Rajputs, Muslims, and Dalits engage with and often appropriate Draupadi’s narrative, the book profoundly challenges monolithic interpretations of the *Mahabharata*. It unveils layers of meaning and devotion previously overlooked, asserting the vital role of oral traditions and local cults in shaping India’s epic consciousness. For its groundbreaking approach, meticulous research, and its illumination of the epic’s enduring relevance across social strata, this volume is undeniably a cornerstone of Hiltebeitel’s celebrated oeuvre and a must-read for scholars of South Asian religion and literature.