Mythological and folklore characters and motifs in Tatar and Chuvash fairy tale plays for children: A comparative analysis

The article presents the results of a comparative analysis of representation and transformation of mythological and folkloric characters and motifs in Tatar and Chuvash children’s drama of the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries. The object of the study is fairy tale plays by T. Minnullin, F. Yarullin, G. Gilmanov, R. Sagdi (the Tatar tradition), I. Trer, O. Turgay, and E. Narbi (the Chuvash tradition). We apply the historical-literary, comparative-typological, and structural-semiotic methods to identify the specifics of the archetypal images’ adaptation (Shurale/ Arçuri, Diyu/Aslă Tură, Ubyrly/Ukh, Buka/Ama) in a new sociocultural context. The scientific novelty is the introduction of a number of little-studied texts into the scientific circulation (for example, the plays “Savtepi” by O. Turgay and E. Narb’s play “Ukh Starik”), as well as a systemic comparison of two national traditions, which allows us to identify common mechanisms of mythopoetic modelling and ethno-specific features (individualism/collectivism, the extent of sacredness). As a result, we have established that the authors use archaic plots and characters as a tool for actualizing ecological and ethical discourse, forming cultural identity and retransmitting moral values. Despite the general trend towards humanisation and demythologisation of images, Tatar drama emphasizes a socially adaptive function of myth, while Chuvash drama preserves its connection with cosmogonic ideas and ritual practices. 

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