‘Research Prospects in the peripheral view of Kartika Nair’s epic Retelling ‘Until the Lions’- Echoes from the Mahabharata’

Abstract

Indian culture is based on two epics; The Ramayana and The Mahabharata. Every Hindu knows about these two epics, other religion people too. There is not any Hindu house which does not know and follow the rituals which are discussed in these two epics. The present generation takes interest to read Retellings of Indian myths which are written by the contemporary Indian English Writers. Indian women like to read Retellings of myths which are written by Indian women writers. Its reason is that it gives voice to marginalized women of the Indian myths. Females compare their unspeakable voice with the voice of marginalized women of the Indian myths which are discussed by Indian women writers through the retellings. This paper discusses the research prospects of one of the well-known epic retellings of Mahabharata Myth – ‘Until the Lions’. It is an experimental retelling of the epic Mahabharata; Karthika Nair writes poetry in the voices of those whose narratives remained untold. Through this epic, Nair attempts to conduct an “inquiry of power” through the eyes of those who do not possess it: most often, the women of the Mahabharata. The story of women we do not hear as much about who were either eulogized too much or were peripheral characters in the story or were powerless queens- Queen Satyavati, Yuyutsu’s Mother, Dushala, Kunti, Gandhari, Hidimbi are fascinating. This epic is the best example to get the knowledge about female experience through the female voice. The objective of this research paper is to discuss research prospects which are applicable to this epic of retelling by the researcher. The researcher applies the theory of feminism to discuss this epic of retelling. The research question is that; Is the peripheral view of Karthika Nair justified as the female voice of Female experience through this epic of Retelling?