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Reimagining Mythology at Apeejay Kolkata Fest Day 3

business Jan 13, 2025

L-R Priyanka S. Kaintura, Anand Neelakantan, Dr. Lopamudra Maitra, Akshat Gupta, Anuja Chandramouli

January 13, 2025: The session “Of Deities, Demons, Kings, and Queens” at Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival, moderated by Dr. Lopamudra Maitra, brought together celebrated authors Anand Neelakantan, Akshat Gupta, Anuja Chandramouli, and Priyanka S. Kaintura to explore the enduring magic of mythology. The panel delved into how folklore and mythological narratives shape modern storytelling, offering diverse perspectives on characters, rituals, and gender representation in Indian epics.

Anand Neelakantan, renowned for his retellings of the Ramayana, shared his intention behind crafting stories from the point of view of less-explored characters. “Indian puranas have infinite perspectives. My book Asura portrays Ramayana through Ravana’s eyes, where he emerges as a hero. This plurality is the essence of Indian storytelling,” he explained. Highlighting the nuanced layers of mythological retellings, he emphasised the importance of presenting narratives that challenge traditional depictions.

Akshat Gupta, author of The Hidden Hindu, brought attention to the metaphorical depths of Hindu rituals. “There’s profound logic behind every ritual. For example, the act of breaking a pot during cremation symbolises the release of the soul, with water representing time and the pot signifying life,” he remarked. Gupta also lamented the loss of ancient institutions like Nalanda University. “We’re rediscovering treasures that is helping us rediscover how much we had already invented,” he added.

Anuja Chandramouli emphasized feminist undertones in Indian mythology. “Sita’s abduction or her Agni Pariksha were never empowered choices, and mythologies were originally neutral. Patriarchal reinterpretations later skewed these narratives,” she observed. Priyanka S. Kaintura further explored this sentiment, discussing ‘divine femininity’ as found in her book. “Every Shiva needs Shakti, and every Shakti needs a Shiva. Shiva’s forlorn state without Shakti embodies a deeply feminine trait. Women have the power to embrace their inner Shakti and inspire loyalty as profound as Shiva’s,” she explained.

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