Folklore refers to the traditional knowledge, beliefs, customs, practices, stories, songs, rituals, arts, and expressions that are created, preserved, and transmitted by members of a community from one generation to another. It is an important part of cultural heritage because it reflects the collective wisdom, experiences, values, and identity of a group of people. The term "folklore" was first coined by the English scholar William John Thoms in 1846 by combining the words "folk," meaning people, and "lore," meaning traditional knowledge. Folklore includes both tangible and intangible cultural elements and survives mainly through oral tradition, imitation, performance, and social participation. Although many aspects of folklore are now documented in written and digital forms, its essence lies in community acceptance and continuous transmission. Folklore is dynamic rather than static. It changes over time according to the needs, beliefs, and social conditions of the people while maintaining continuity with the past. Every society possesses its own folklore, whether in the form of myths, legends, folktales, proverbs, riddles, folk songs, folk dances, folk theatre, festivals, handicrafts, rituals, or traditional occupations. In India, folklore is extremely rich due to the country's linguistic, religious, and cultural diversity. The stories of Panchatantra, Jataka tales, regional ballads, folk music, tribal traditions, and local festivals are examples of Indian folklore that continue to influence people's lives. Folklore is generally characterized by collective authorship, anonymous origin, oral transmission, traditional acceptance, variation, continuity, and adaptability. Unlike literary works created by a single known author, folklore belongs to the community. Different versions of the same folktale or song may exist in different regions, yet all retain the core cultural message. Folklore is therefore considered a living tradition that evolves through repeated performances and social interaction. One of the primary functions of folklore is the preservation of cultural heritage. Every community develops customs, traditions, and knowledge that define its way of life. Folklore acts as a storehouse of this heritage by preserving historical memories, social values, religious beliefs, and artistic expressions. Through stories, songs, rituals, and festivals, communities maintain continuity with their ancestors and ensure that future generations remain connected to their cultural roots. Traditional folk arts, crafts, and performances also preserve indigenous skills and techniques that might otherwise disappear. Another significant function of folklore is the transmission of knowledge and traditions. Before the development of formal education systems, people relied on oral traditions to pass knowledge from one generation to another. Folktales, proverbs, songs, and legends conveyed practical wisdom about agriculture, weather, medicine, family life, social conduct, and environmental conservation. Even today, many tribal and rural communities continue to use folklore as a means of educating children and preserving indigenous knowledge systems. Folklore performs an important educational function by teaching moral values and ethical principles. Many folktales emphasize honesty, kindness, courage, generosity, respect for elders, hard work, justice, and cooperation. Stories often present characters who are rewarded for good behavior and punished for wrongdoing. Through such narratives, children and adults learn the difference between right and wrong in an engaging and memorable manner. Proverbs and riddles also encourage critical thinking and practical wisdom while reinforcing accepted social norms. Folklore serves as a means of social