Raja Rao’s *Kanthapura* is one of the finest examples of the creative use of folklore and myth in Indian English literature. The novel presents the story of India’s freedom struggle through the life of a small South Indian village. Instead of narrating political events in a conventional historical manner, Raja Rao blends folklore, myths, legends, religious beliefs, and oral storytelling traditions to make the nationalist movement meaningful and emotionally powerful for ordinary villagers. Folklore and myth are not merely decorative elements in the novel; they shape the narrative structure, characterisation, and ideological framework. The novel is narrated by Achakka, an elderly village woman, whose storytelling resembles the oral tradition of Indian folk narratives. Her style is filled with repetitions, digressions, proverbs, songs, and local expressions. This folk mode of narration creates authenticity and reflects the collective memory of the village. The events are presented as stories passed from one generation to another rather than as objective historical records. Raja Rao thus preserves the rhythm and flavour of Indian oral culture while writing in English. Myth plays a significant role in interpreting political reality. Gandhi is not portrayed simply as a political leader but as a divine figure whose mission resembles that of mythological heroes. He is often compared to Lord Krishna, Rama, or other incarnations who descend to destroy evil and restore righteousness. Through these comparisons, the villagers understand the freedom movement in familiar religious terms. British rule is seen as the force of adharma, while Gandhi becomes the symbol of truth, sacrifice, and moral victory. Such mythic parallels transform nationalism into a sacred duty. The local goddess Kenchamma occupies a central place in the novel’s symbolic world. According to village legend, she once defeated a