Fanfictions and Hinduism.
Those who are active on Wattpad, might know that there are many many writers (including myself) who tend to write fiction over itihāsa or historical epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, purely for fun and our love for them. It seems very odd, yes, and we do get to see blasphemy there too. People love some characters, hate the others with a burning passion and there are hour long debates over human nature, characterisations, myths involved, folklores and the many versions both of them have.
We have OCs, we make graphics and video edits, we pair the said OCs with CCs and sometimes with other OCs. The comment sections are the most fun things because writers and their audience interact there. Some works are much more impressive than published paperbacks while some are simply atrocious. You know it, shades are everywhere.
Now, very recently did I come to know that in Tamil literature, a fictional tale that is weaved around a couple or more incidents or points coming from the purānas or itihāsas is called a prabandha. Fun, right?
We do get to see fanfictions in Hinduism by the name of Pancharātram by Bhāsa (the one who also penned Svapna Vāsavadattā) and Kalidāsa's Abhigyāna Shākuntalam. While the latter romanticises and adds non canon events to the canon event of Lady Shakuntala and King Dushyanta's love story, the former is about a "what-if" scenario based on the Mahabharata.
So, do we promote fiction writings on such stuff? Definitely. I got much into the Sanatana culture solely via such fictions. They promote higher thinking skills, brainstorming, even fun facts many a times if the author is literate enough. And is that different from disrespecting scriptures and our very own ancestors? Also yes. Because neither of these authors claim to strictly follow the canon events. You do not like something you see, click away. As easy as that.
Do I support all of them, tho? For sure not. There are some which whitewash the bad guys and blackwash even the divine figures. Some straight up induce cringe. But that's just my opinion. A debate is always based on facts, not personal opinions. So yes, you do you.
But are they also dangerous? Umhm. Look at the Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. One word : atrocious. Some modern day prabandha style novel which sat a little above average in my reading experience? Abhaya by Saiswaroopa Iyer is the one (she's also written Mauri, Avishi, Draupadi and a few more if I'm not wrong.) (Abhaya is an OC paired opposite Kanha and tbh their chemistry was chef's kiss jsjshdjsjd-)
Should you write such, if that is what you want? Yes! I'd love to read-
But do you have to be careful with the message you deliver via your work? Swayam vichar kijiye *wink wink*
Some fanfictions which I may recommend. Note : not all of them involve OCs. All of these are from Wattpad. The authors' usernames are in bold.
— To Love A Murderer, Hope Embodied, and Samsrishti ; ruhitherambler.
— Satata Haritam ; Ramayana_Lover.
— Hello Mahabharata and My Days In Mahabharata ; thewomanwhobleedsink.
— Sambhavāmi ; indeevara18ls.
— Mathuraraaj ; Shivran86.
— Ehi Murare ; kanakangi.
— The Diary Of A Gopika ; Thoughtshub.
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putting tergent and fabric roughener in my washing machine to make my clothes dirtier and more unseemly
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WE HAVE OUR MERMAY BEFORE MAY ENDS YIPPIEEEE
I know usually ppl make the all the gang as merpeople, but I thought it'd be cute if Brad was a giant mermaid pesting a human Toby
I love them so much ❤️❤️❤️
I'll be doing an Alelisa version of mermay too!!! Not sure if it'll be out till the end of the month, but we shall see it for sure :>
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