A Revisionist Study Of Indian Epic With Special Reference To The Palace Of Illusions By Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Keywords:
Myth, Revisionist writing, Indian Mythology, Retellings.Abstract
Indian myths are not merely fables; they hold moral values and cater to different ways to find solace. The study of mythology is no longer seen as an escape from reality to a world full of fantasy but as a journey to the past in search of truth and reality.
The present study focuses on the retellings of Indian Mythology concerning the tales of Mahabharata and how these tales have undergone remarkable change over the years. Mythological works are inflexible, but nowadays, Postmodern writers select such characters from the Epic that need to be given due importance and try to narrate the whole story through the perspective of the selected characters. This provides a voice to characters unheard or unspoken in the Grand Narrative.
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's novel The Palace of Illusions portrays Draupadi as an authoritative, strong, stubborn, and independent woman who shares an equivalent platform with men rather than merely being pliant and submissive. Divakaruni's interpretation of the Epic provides an impartial platform, giving the character a fair opportunity to speak her mind. The struggles and challenges that Draupadi faced in her life are relevant for women even today.
