KAIKEYI: BEYOND MYTH AND MODERNITY IN AMISH TRIPATHI’S RAMCHANDRA SERIES
Authors: Dr Atul Rasika Moudgil* & Dr Annand
ABSTRACT
The present research paper focuses on one of the most controversial figures in Hindu mythology: Kaikeyi. Traditionally depicted as a naïve and notorious mother in Indian folklore, this study re-examines her character through a postmodern lens, aiming to establish her as a truly powerful woman. Kaikeyi emerges as an unconquerable and dignified figure of her time.
One key concept in postmodernism is the idea of the metanarrative. Metanarratives offer a fascinating lens for literary analysis. Rooted in postmodern philosophy, this concept challenges definitive absolutes—such as Truth—suggesting they are either highly elusive or non-existent. Consequently, postmodernism it resists clear definitions, embracing ambiguity and complexity.
This paper attempts to re-envision the myth of Kaikeyi through the lens of Amish Tripathi’s Ram Chandra Series. By doing so, it sheds new light on her character, presenting Kaikeyi not as a villain but as a figure of immense strength and dignity. This reinterpretation challenges traditional narratives and offers a fresh perspective on her role in Hindu mythology.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Bose, Mandakranta. The Ramayana Revisited. Oxford UP, 2004.
- Cruz, Décio T. Postmodern Metanarratives: Blade Runner and Literature in the Age of Image. Springer, 2014.
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- Lyotard, Jean-François. The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge. U of Minnesota P, 1984.
- Tripathi, Amish. Raavan: Enemy Of Aryavarta. HarperCollins, 2022.
- —. Ram – Scion Of Ikshvaku (Ram Chandra Series Book 1). HarperCollins, 2022.
- —. Sita: Warrior Of Mithila (Ram Chandra Series Book 2). HarperCollins, 2022.