Reinterpretation of Indian Myths in Indian English Fiction

Myth has remained a fundamental element of Indian cultural and literary expression, offering a rich repository of symbols, narratives, and archetypes. In Indian English fiction, myths are not merely retold in their traditional forms but are frequently reinterpreted to reflect contemporary social, cultural, and psychological realities. This study aims to examine the reinterpretation of Indian myths in Indian English fiction and to analyze the ways in which writers transform traditional mythological narratives into modern literary expressions. The paper adopts a critical and textual approach to explore how myths drawn from epics, puranic traditions, and folklore are reshaped within the framework of the modern novel. Rather than viewing myth as a static or religious construct, the study treats it as a dynamic literary strategy that enables writers to engage with issues of identity, gender, power, and cultural change. The scope of the study includes an examination of different modes of mythic reinterpretation, such as social, gendered, and psychological rewriting. It also considers the broader literary significance of myth reinterpretation in shaping the distinctive character of Indian English fiction. The study concludes that the reinterpretation of Indian myths enriches contemporary fiction by providing symbolic depth, cultural continuity, and critical insight into modern experience.