ISSN : 2663-2187

RETELLINGS OF THE RAMAYANA: COUNTERNARRATIVES, HERMENEUTICS AND PROLIFERATION OF THE EPIC

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DEB DULAL HALDER, BARUN KUMAR MISHRA
» doi: 10.48047/AFJBS.6.7.2083-2101

Abstract

To create narratives that address the concerns in mythical narratives and give them a modern spin, each retelling reinterprets texts from mythology. Using Sita's perspective, Devdutt Pattanaik thoroughly retells the epic Ramayana in Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of Ramayana. The storytelling tactics give these retellings a fresh spin, yet the story's essential elements are consistent throughout. Mythical and historical narratives continue to be necessary in India due to the country's cultural variety. Even though we have come a long way, men still hold most of the power in our society. To tackle social challenges, writers frequently look to mythology and history. There is a robust patriarchal undercurrent in our mythology. Female characters play supporting roles in every story. Modern retellings of tales traditionally told by men frequently offer a fresh viewpoint, amplifying the experiences of underrepresented groups. The story of Sita, the Warrior of Mithila, stands out. It gives an entirely new portrayal of Sita. According to Amish, Sita exemplifies all that is good about Vishnu: she is a skilled fighter, an unbiased ruler, a perfect wife, and an uplifting figure. The unorthodox portrayal of Sita as a strong, independent, and logical woman has led many to call her a modern woman. One interpretation of Sita: Warrior of Mithila by Amish is that it delves into the Indian feminine psyche. Women look up to Sita as a symbol of empowerment and wisdom. Sita had to wind her way through a maze of winding streets and lanes before she reached her objective. On the other hand, Chitra Banerjee Divakurani’s retelling of The Forest of Enchantment takes a fresh feminist perspective to retelling the Ramayana. The paper looks at Amish Tripathi’s Sita, the Warrior of Mithila, Devdutt Pattanaik’s Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of Ramayana and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s The Forest of Enchantments to understand how the modern retellings of the Ramayana have kept the essence of the epic intact and yet provided counter-narratives to fit the mythological story into its modern-day rendition.

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