Authors Kritika H. Rao, Shveta Thakrar, Roshani Chokshi, and Ram V discuss the challenges of incorporating Hindu mythology into their fantasy books for a Western audience. They share their favorite deities, the Hindu comics they grew up reading, and the questions they've faced about who gets to tell their stories. They explore themes of love transcending lifetimes, the power of mythology in storytelling, and the conflicts between religion and creativity. They also discuss the complexities of Hindu mythology and its portrayal in fantasy worlds.
The authors discuss the challenges of creating Hindu-themed fantasy books for a Western marketplace, including the need to educate unfamiliar readers about their culture and the fear of backlash and controversies.
The authors emphasize the importance of storytelling and the mutable nature of mythology, highlighting the complexities and contradictions within Hindu myths and their efforts to create diverse and nuanced characters that challenge traditional gender roles and toxic masculinity.
Deep dives
Challenges of Writing Hindu-Themed Fantasy Novels
In this podcast episode, several authors discuss the challenges faced when writing Hindu-themed fantasy novels for a Western marketplace. They highlight the exoticization of their culture and the need to educate unfamiliar readers, while also addressing controversies and the fear of backlash. The authors express the importance of storytelling and the mutable nature of mythology, as well as the freedom to reinterpret and adapt these ancient stories. They emphasize the complexities and contradictions within Hindu mythology, and how they strive to create diverse and nuanced characters that challenge traditional gender roles and toxic masculinity.
Adapting Indian Mythology in Literature
The authors discuss their personal experiences and inspirations for adapting Indian mythology in their works. They mention specific stories and characters from Hindu epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, and how they infused these myths with their own interpretations and narratives. They delve into the significance of exploring relationships, including toxic friendships and marriages, and the impact of these relationships on the characters. The authors also explore the nuanced duality within Hindu deities, such as Lord Shiva, and the idea of divine beings being flawed and complex.
Navigating the Publishing Landscape
The authors address the challenges of publishing Hindu-themed fantasy novels in a Western marketplace. They discuss exoticization, the lack of awareness and understanding among readers, and the pressure to educate while also maintaining artistic freedom. They reflect on the intersections between religion and storytelling, and the need to challenge traditional narratives and moral certainties. They also touch on the criticism faced from both Western and Indian audiences, highlighting the difficulties of breaking new ground and navigating cultural expectations.
Undiscovered Stories and Future Adaptations
The authors share their desire to adapt specific stories from Indian mythology in the future. They mention the story of Prince Eklavia, the relationship between Ravana and Karna in the Mahabharata, the tales of Princess Savitri and Princess Tatyawen, and the idea of immortal beings in Hindu mythology. They express their fascination with exploring gaps in existing stories and characters, such as the dreams of Urmila, the wife of Lakshman, and the perspectives of immortal beings within the mortal world. They also discuss the potential for creating a Hindu-inspired version of Good Omens.
Kritika H. Rao, Shveta Thakrar, Roshani Chokshi, and Ram V are helping to create a new genre. They use elements of their Hindu backgrounds to write fantasy books primarily aimed at a Western marketplace. I talked with them about the challenge of drawing on a diverse religion of beliefs and gods that many Western readers and publishers might be unfamiliar with. Our panel discussion also turned out to be an opportunity for the authors to bond over their favorite deities, the Hindu comics they grew up reading, and the questions they’ve faced about who gets to tell their stories.
Roshani Chokshi writes the middle-grade series, Aru Shah, and she’s the author of The Star-Touched Queen trilogy of YA novels.
Kritika H. Rao is the author of The Surviving Sky, which will be part of The Rages Trilogy.