WHAT IS MYTHOLOGY? “Mythology” is a word used to describe all myths of a particular society. Every culture has its own myths that help us understand its customs and ways of viewing the world.

What is a myth? An ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, and heroes. It explains the view of a group of people

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MYTHS? Myths can… Explain how things came to be--like the origin of the universe or the creation of humans. Teach people about the values and beliefs that are important in their society. Contain deep religious significance to the people who tell and believe them. Studying myths can teach us about people around the world -- their cultures and what is (or was) important to them.

What are some characteristics of myths? Contain heroes and heroines Supernatural elements Gods and goddesses Explains a natural phenomenon Told orally (spoken)

HOW DID WE LEARN THESE STORIES? Myths were first passed down through storytelling, songs, and poetry. We learned the stories from written versions, mainly Homer’s epic poems The Illiad and The Odyssey, which tell us of the great deeds of the heroes.

DO MYTHS REALLY MATTER TODAY? YES!!! References to Greek mythology are all around us: Ever heard of Nike athletic gear? Nike was actually a goddess of personification and victory.

DO MYTHS REALLY MATTER TODAY? ` DO MYTHS REALLY MATTER TODAY? What would Valentine’s Day be without Cupid? Cupid, or Eros, is the god of love as the Greeks called him.

Which cultures have myths? Every culture has its own mythology Universal symbols and themes appear in different cultures’ myths Greek, Roman, Native American, Celtic, South American, African, and Norse mythology are examples of myths from different cultures

TWO NAMES, POWERS THE SAME Generally, the deity’s powers and myths stayed the same--even though they had a new name. As a result, the study of Greek and Roman mythology is often grouped together under the same name-- classical mythology.

Greek and Roman Mythology is often called “Classical Mythology”

Why did ancient people tell myths? To help explain the unexplainable To explain natural phenomenon To tell about their heroes To explain human nature To teach morals and values

Why do we still study mythology? To learn about ancient cultures As inspiration for the arts To teach values and morals For entertainment

In the same way, Indian Myths… Were used to explain the creation of the earth, death and the afterlife, and human experiences: love, jealousy, revenge, & war. They were also used as entertainment and were only told orally because most people could not read.

Myths also include mortals Mortals are men and women who live on earth. To be mortal means that you can die. Sometimes the gods like to help, punish or even have romantic relationships with the mortals.

Indian Mythology One of the richest elements of Indian Culture Different stories in Indian mythology have been passed from generation to generation. impart values of Indian culture to us

Indian Mythology Cont… Panchatantra and Jataka-tales to subtle life paradigm defining stories from the Bhagvad-Gita, Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Girish Raghunath Karnad Born-19 May 1938 film director, film actor, poet,Dramatist Notable works –Hayavadana & Nagamandala

Approach Found a new approach like drawing historical and mythological sources to tackle contemporary themes, and existentialist crisis of modern man, through his characters locked in psychological and philosophical conflicts. Culture defines society and Karnad’s plays are a reflection of the culture in our society.

CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS Girish Karnad's play Hayavadana has various cultural implications, which are relevant even today. A Man's search for his own self among a web of complex relationships Hayavadana was influenced by Thomas Mann’s The Transposed Heads. Focusing on our folk culture, he takes inspiration from mythology and folklore. With Hayavadana, Karnad has taken us back to the myths and legends of the Hindu religion.

HAYAVADANA The story revolves around Devadutta, Kapila and Padmini. The emotional upheavels they face because of transposing of heads. Running parallel is the story of Hayavadana, a horseheaded man who is seeking fullfillment and completion. The story has a larger theme of identity and the power of the mind over the body. Characters had a lot of complexity in it.

NAGAMANDALA The play touches one of the most sensitive issues of marital life. In folk style and form, the film throws open a question as to who is the husband - the person who marries an innocent girl and indulges in self pleasures or the person who gives the real and complete experience of life.

NAGAMANDALA Snakes are considered sacred and are feared and worshipped. Supernatural elements play a central part in the play. The intimate relationships between a man and a woman, an Indian woman's desperation to win the affections of her husband in spite of the husband’s open disloyalty

NAGAMANDALA The need to prove loyalty being imposed on married women while their husbands are not even questioned about their extramarital affairs. The play illuminates universal themes - alienation, loneliness, love, family, hatred - through the daily lives and concerns of a whole community of individuals.

Wrapping up… Myths, are in fact the embodiments of these cultural ethos that represent the underlying values and principles of life,the rules and the codes of society. Girish Karnad has time and again returned to eternal roots of his cultural tradition, taking inspiration from mythology and folklore. Karnad provides us with a glimpse of the past as well as its relevance to an understanding of the contemporary world.

Thank you….