Shikhandi by Devdutt Pattanaik

Description

“Shikhandi: And Other Tales They Don’t Tell” is a book written by Devdutt Pattanaik, an Indian author, mythologist, and storyteller. The book, published in 2014, focuses on reinterpreting and retelling stories from Indian mythology with a queer perspective, shedding light on characters and narratives that often go overlooked or are marginalized within traditional interpretations.

The title story, “Shikhandi,” is based on a character from the Indian epic, the Mahabharata. Shikhandi is a transgender character who plays a significant role in the epic’s events, particularly in the story of the great Kurukshetra war. Pattanaik’s reimagining of these myths provides a fresh lens through which to view the stories, emphasizing themes of gender fluidity, sexuality, and non-binary identities that are often hidden or dismissed in traditional retellings.

The book consists of several stories, each exploring various mythological characters and their queer dimensions. Devdutt Pattanaik’s work aims to challenge conventional interpretations of mythology and highlight the diversity of human identities and experiences that can be found within these ancient narratives.

“Shikhandi: And Other Tales They Don’t Tell” is part of a larger movement to explore and celebrate diverse identities within mythology and literature. It encourages readers to rethink their understanding of traditional stories and engage with them in a way that is inclusive of all types of human experiences, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.