Transcending the Conventions through Experimentalism in Mythological Retellings A Narratological Study of Select Works of Devdutt Pattanaik

Abstract

World literature has witnessed a tremendous expansion in the genre of mythological retellings in the past few decades. Writers of contemporary times, deeply influenced by myths of their region, creatively incorporate them into modern day novels. Their common objective is either uplifting minor characters or creating thrillers using myth as an element of suspense. In terms of retellings for young-adult and children, the aim is to educate and entertain through myth. Amidst this arena of recreation based on Indian Mythology, works of Devdutt Pattanaik, are strikingly different from their contemporaries. Texts that play with the conventions of literature are termed experimental literature. The history of experimentalism in literature goes way back to 18th century, with the earliest example of Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. Experimental works were often considered a part of modern and post-modern literature and resurfaced recently through digital literature. The void in this history and the fact that very few works of Indian Writing in English occupy a space in it lead to questions regarding what makes a work experimental in nature newline