Epics in Imprints-1.pdf - Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan

FEBRUARY - AUGUST 2003
MYTHS AND MODERN INDIAN LITERATURE
THE POPULARITY OF THE PAURANIKA
The treatment of mythological
theme’s in modern Indian
languages is both a continuation
of earlier traditions as well as a new and
capacious feature that emerged in the
19 th century. The critical vocabulary
distinguishes a Pauranika from an
aitihasika (historian). The ancient writers
make no such distinction.
Contrary to the popular perception
that there has been a steady decline in
the mythological literature with the rise
of modernity and apotheosization of
history and science as the body of true
knowledge, mythological literature in
India had never been wanting in votaries.
Whether it is Sanskrit or Nepali, Oriya,
or Tamil, Telugu or Assamse, Marathi or
Sindhi, mythological writings had always
enjoyed an important position in the
growth of their literature. Mythological
writings undoubtedly form a part of the
residual traditions in certain languages,
but they also emerged as dominant
streams in those which were under a
strong Western influence and where the
writers were critical of the traditional
themes and forms.
Sanskrit represents the residual
tradition rather than bold innovations in
literary activities. Rukmini Haranam,
Pandava Vijayam, Hariscandra Carit,
Rati Vijayam, Samudra manthana, Nala
Damayanti, Prahlad are the popular
themes on which Sanskrit works were
written. Ekalavya Guru dakshina was
another work.
BY SISIR KUMAR DAS
A continuing scholarly tradition that
refused to take cognizance of the
changing world and of new poetic
sensibility, had its admirers, and they
continued to thrive. Such works existed
in several others languages irrespective
of their relative richness, and claimed
modernity-Bengali, Tamil, Marathi,
Nepali, Oriya etc. The mythological
themes used and value systems they
propagated make the literature fall in
some sub- groups. Marathi, Nepali, and
Manipuri were exposed to western
literary traditions little later than other
languages. These languages had a strong
traditional component in their letters,
compositions and they passed through
a stage dominated by strong motivations
to preserve the rich indigenous literary
heritage. One finds a rich crop of
mythological works in these languages.
The themes like Sita Swayamvara, Sita
Banabas, (all in Manipuri). Abhimanyu,
Lavakusa, Mahabharata themes etc.
were glorified anew. Translations of
Mahabharata were taken afresh by
scholars. All India characters such as
Sakuntala, Savitri, Damayanti, and
Harischandra were celebrated by Nepali
and Manipuri writers.
In certain languages it was the Sita
theme. In some it was Savitri. No Bengal
writer of merit showed interest in such
themes. The all India character of the
myths however is not questioned by the
absence of the response of writers of a
particular language. It is a question of