Thread by @aurvabhrg

Off late there is a whole genre of fiction that's based on portraying the aitihAsika and paurANika material within a "realistic framework". Authors use various tropes to explain away the fantastical/magical/divine episodes from itihAsas and purANAs 1/

This is perhaps not a very new genre. Stalwarts such as K M Munshi, S L Bhyrappa, Narendra Kohli, who have dabbled with this genre. K M Munshi's Krishnavatara series tells the story of a brave cowherd who realizes his potential and decides to fight the ... 2/

... the tyrant Kamsa. Along the way, he does kill various "asuras" but using a combination of strength, skill, and a sharp wit. None of the magical elements that we see in Srimad Bhagavatam.

Similarly S L Bhyrappa's landmark work "Parva" delved deep into the minds of the ..3/

characters such as Bhishma, Bhima, Arjuna, Kunti, Draupadi, Krishna, explaining away Devas as beings residing on Himalayas, and that Indra, Vayu, as posts.
Now authors, poets, dramatists seeking inspiration from itihAsa and purANas is nothing new. Eg: Many of Kalidasa's works 4/

However, interpreting them within a realistic framework appears to have come to vogue after colonization. What was it that separated the previous generations who had no problems accepting an ape-like mighty being who could converse with humans, and fly long distances .. 5/

.. vs our generation which needs the crutch of a "creative reinterpretation" to make these stories acceptable? Is it the fact that the older generations were comfortable with multiple frameworks to explain different aspects of the human condition while .. 5/

.. our generation insists on having a single framework within which every human experience has to be explained?

Another observation that I could make is that while authors like Bhyrappa and K M Munshi stripped the material off their fantastic aspects, the moral core 6/

was still very much that which can be found in our traditional works. The language in their books, even though not the one in which the traditional works were composed, felt distant enough that it was believable that it was spoken by the character back in those days. 7/

However in the contemporary works of this genre, the language is very much modern (imagine a Shiva or a Rama saying "Dammit!" to express frustration) that one cannot help but cringe a bit. Apart from the language, the moral code that one comes across in ... 8/

... the contemporary work is very very modern. The characters speak of egalitarianism, freedom and rights, which is really projecting the prevalent modernity into the past where it didn't exist, nor did it have an obligation to exist. 9/

One must also note that this genre has a huge following among the modern Indians. Some of the books written in this genre have sold millions of copies. How many of these readers have known the original stories ? 10/

Or are these readers being introduced to our traditional works through this genre ? What is it about this genre that holds such an appeal for our generation ? The fact that Gods and mighty heroes have been brought down to our level? 11/

That they speak the same language as we do ? That their moral code is the politically correct one which resonates with the social justice morality of our own times? That it helps them justify their reverence to the Gods and the Heroes while still retaining a modern outlook? 12/

Personally I believe that every generation must retell the story found in our traditional works. This is how Harikathas, YakshagAnas, nATakAs, upanyAsas, popularized these works amongst the masses. This is what made a Tulasidasa or a KumaravyAsa so popular 13/

This is how we got some gems such as the concept of a "Lakshmanarekha" (No, it is not a part of Valmiki Ramayana). However, if we are retelling these stories by stripping them off their very essence, then are we even retelling the same thing? 14/

By merely retaining the names of the characters, their relationships and the places they roamed around in, if we insert our own words into their mouths, are we not merely using them for the purpose of propaganda? What end is this genre serving then? /END