Journey into the realm of mythology with us as we explore the works of two renowned authors who have carved a niche in this captivating genre. In this exclusive feature, we delve into the imaginative worlds crafted by Smriti Dewan and Manini Priyan, two celebrated figures who have breathed fresh life into age-old myths. Prepare to embark on a literary adventure that reinterprets and reimagines timeless stories, breathing new vitality into ancient narratives.
Smriti Dewan is a professional screenwriter and director who has spent nearly a decade in the television industry and OTT platforms. She began her career in postproduction and moved on to work as an assistant director, host, and recently turned author with her debut novel Urmila: The Forgotten Princess.
Can you tell us about your writing journey and what inspired you to delve into mythology?
I’m an accidental writer; I aspired to direct. I never had any training in writing, and in my line of work, screenplay writing is a complicated craft. But I would sit in many writing sessions and was gently nudged in that direction. When the opportunity of writing an episode for a TV show presented itself, I was given a chance to try. The whole experience turned out so creatively satisfying that by the end of it, I knew this was what I wanted to do for a living.
Your book explores the reinterpretation of mythological stories. What drew you to this particular approach in your writing?
Urmila is a character that is sleeping for 14 years in half the versions of Ramayana! So, making her a central character and the narrator opened up a new set of avenues. The history of Mithila, its folklore, her parents, her grandmother, and the matriarchy of the kingdom of Patkai. There was just so much scope to create this world on the helms of the main story, a world beyond Ayodhya and Lanka that by itself became the foundation of this approach. Also, after reading a dozen interpretations of Ramayana, where all Urmila is made to be is this delicate creature, one starts to get an itch to rectify the issue.
How do you balance tradition and innovation in your work?
My endeavor as a writer is always to tell an enjoyable and relatable story. Tales are timeless because the crises that characters find themselves in are universal. But none of the characters’ inner workings made sense to me as a modern woman. We can dismiss only so much with the adage, ‘It was a different time.’ Times change, values change, and therein comes my need to create that world and the character in a way that today’s readers can understand. I keep the journey of the original epic the same, but I try to show you the same sightings from a different angle.
Can you highlight some challenges you faced while writing about mythology and how you overcame them?
We live in a time when writing about mythology can bring you under intense scrutiny. We are emotionally attached to our myths and lores because we worship these gods. Seeing them as just characters on paper takes a certain degree of detachment. The challenge is in the writing itself. If the reader accepts the world you created, you have won.
Are there any upcoming projects or writing endeavors you’d like to share with your readers?
I have a historical novel coming out next, ‘Yashodhara,’ which is based on the wife of Gautam Buddha. ‘Chiranjeevi’ is another franchise based on the Hindu immortal gods I’m working on for a screen adaptation with Blue Monkey films. And a couple more film and OTT scripts are in the pipeline for the following year.
Manini Priyan Olikara is a postgraduate degree holder who discovered her love for writing during her second Master’s program at King’s College, London. During the day, she writes strategic workforce solutions as a Corporate HR business partner, and during the night, she works on her series of novels in science fiction and fantasy. In her debut novel, ‘Search for Transcendence: The Beginning,’ she fuses science fiction and familiar mythological characters.
Can you tell us about your writing journey and what inspired you to delve into mythology?
My fascination with mythology began at a young age, as I was captivated by the rich tapestry of ancient tales and the timeless themes they conveyed. The power of mythology to connect us with our past and delve into the mysteries of the universe inspired me to delve deeper into this enchanting world. Through my writing, I aim to breathe new life into myths, infuse them with fresh perspectives, and transport readers to extraordinary realms where gods, heroes, and monsters come alive.
Your book explores the reinterpretation of mythological stories. What drew you to this particular approach in your writing?
Myths are deeply ingrained in human culture and passed down through generations, but they are adaptable and open to multiple interpretations. It allows us to explore new angles, challenge traditional narratives, and shed light on different aspects of human nature. This writing approach will enable me to breathe new life into familiar myths, infuse them with contemporary relevance, and make them attractive to a young audience.
Could you share insights into your creative process when reimagining these timeless tales? How do you balance tradition and innovation in your work?
The first step is complete immersion in the source material, and I immerse myself in the original myths. Then, the next step is identifying key elements that make the tale memorable and resonate with readers. These could be iconic characters, moral dilemmas, or transformative journeys, and then looking for points of departure where I can introduce innovation while staying true to the spirit of the myth. But the main thing while trying to balance tradition and bringing a fresh perspective is to ensure that the story’s essence remains intact while offering a new and compelling take.
Can you highlight some challenges you faced while writing about mythology and how you overcame them?
One challenge is capturing the essence of the original myth while adding my creative spin. Reimagining myths requires finding fresh angles and perspectives, and for this, I explored different character viewpoints, added depth to secondary characters, and introduced unexpected twists to create a sense of discovery and surprise. Writing this book has been a continuous learning process that allowed me to grow as a writer and offer readers an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of mythology.
Many writers draw from personal experiences or beliefs when crafting their stories. Is there a personal connection or inspiration that drives your interest in mythology?
The rise of Shakti is a significant theme in the book. Writing about this theme came from my experience of finding the divine feminine energy in my life. The world is challenging for women to traverse, whether at work or home. Finding and discovering my divine power and being my most authentic self was a major inspiration for this particular theme in the book.
Are there any upcoming projects or writing endeavors you’d like to share with your readers?
Book 2 of the series – ‘Dead Rising, Search for Transcendence’ is ready to be launched. I am excited for the readers to discover the series’ second book that further expands this universe of characters. I have a couple of screenwriting projects also in the works. The last year has been an incredible journey for me, and I am very excited to be in this phase of my writing journey.
