Reinterpretation of Hindu Myths in Contemporary Indian English Literature

Abstract

Myth has always functioned as a vital cultural resource in India, shaping religious, ethical, and aesthetic traditions across centuries. In contemporary Indian English literature, Hindu myths are not merely preserved but reinterpreted, reshaped, and retold to address the complexities of modern existence. Writers such as R. K. Narayan, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Devdutt Pattanaik, Shashi Tharoor, and Amish Tripathi employ myth as a narrative strategy to interrogate issues of gender, caste, nationalism, and postcolonial identity. Their works transform timeless epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata into new vehicles for cultural dialogue, where ancient stories are reframed in the light of contemporary values and global readerships. This reinterpretation involves three distinct processes: demythologizing canonical texts to highlight human dilemmas, remythologizing narratives to provide alternative perspectives (often feminist or subaltern), and hybridizing myths with modern genres like fantasy or historical fiction. In doing so, Indian English literature bridges tradition with modernity, offering both continuity and innovation. The study demonstrates that myths, when creatively reimagined, continue to provide moral, cultural, and political insights while resisting ossification into static tradition. By analyzing selected texts, this paper reveals how Hindu myths remain a dynamic site of negotiation, sustaining their relevance while fostering critical engagement with contemporary social realities.