Date: 31 October 2025
Time: 5:30 PM onwards
Venue: India Foundation Office
Katha Session 7 was held on 31 October 2025 at the India Foundation Office and featured a delightful talk by Ms. Olga Levchenko on the theme “Pushkin, Cockerels and Antelopes: Russian Fairytales and Folklore.” The session was chaired by Maj. Gen. Dhruv Katoch, Director, India Foundation and was attended by researchers, students, and lovers of literature who gathered to explore the colourful and imaginative world of Russian traditions.
Ms. Olga Levchenko is a respected scholar of Russian literature and folklore, known for her work on classical narratives and their modern interpretations. Her engaging speaking style immediately connected with the audience. She began the session by introducing the key features of Russian fairytales—magical settings, heroic characters, unexpected twists, and strong moral messages. She explained how these stories have been passed down through generations and continue to hold a special place in Russian culture.
A major part of her talk focused on the works of Alexander Pushkin, one of Russia’s most celebrated literary figures. Olga explained how Pushkin collected, adapted, and retold traditional folk stories in his own poetic style. She discussed some of his well-known tales, such as The Tale of the Golden Cockerel, and described how symbols like the cockerel and the antelope appear again and again in Russian folk narratives. According to her, these symbols are not just decorative but carry deep cultural meaning—representing warning, protection, and the presence of the mystical in everyday life.
Olga also presented some of her paintings and drew interesting comparisons between Indian and Russian folk traditions, pointing out how both cultures use stories to preserve wisdom and guide future generations.
The session ended with a lively question-and-answer segment.
