The Examination of Myths in the Literary Works of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Authors

  • Bhargavi Anilbhai Bhagwat Ph.D Research Scholar (English), Silver Oak University, Ahmedabad
  • Dr. Nilanjana Ghosh Research Guide, Silver Oak University, Ahmedabad

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2024.v09.n10.003

Keywords:

Indian mythology, feminist retellings, The Mahabharata, The Ramayana, The Palace of Illusions

Abstract

This study shall examine how Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni pens myths in her literature; indeed, new, creative versions of India's ancient epics, 'The Mahabharata' and 'The Ramayana'. In this context, by taking a modern feminist viewpoint, this raises the voices of the almost largely marginalized female characters. She actually visualizes the very old mythological stories in her novels, "The Palace of Illusions" and "The Forest of Enchantments," along with modern significance. Another aspect that compliments how the author integrates mythological themes with current concerns like identity, gender, and personal agency allows these ageless stories to speak to today's readers. In this regard, Divakaruni breathes new life into old stories besides translocating them to answer the challenges of the contemporary world.

References

Doniger, Wendy. The Hindus: An Alternative History. New York: Penguin Books, 2010.

Pattanaik, Devdutt. Myth = Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology. New Delhi: Penguin India, 2006.

Narayan, R.K. The Mahabharata: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic. New York: University of Chicago Press, 2000.

Narasimhan, C.V. The Mahābhārata: An English Version Based on Selected Verses. New York: Columbia University Press, 1997.

Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2008.

Eliade, Mircea. Myth and Reality. New York: Harper & Row, 1968.

Barthes, Roland. Mythologies. New York: Hill and Wang, 1972.

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Published

21-10-2024

How to Cite

Bhagwat, B. A., & Ghosh, N. (2024). The Examination of Myths in the Literary Works of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary, 9(10), 17–21. https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2024.v09.n10.003