Rewriting Orthodoxy: Caste, Gender, and Religious Power in Amish Tripathi’s The Immortals of Meluha

Abstract

Amish Tripathi’s first novel of Siva Trilogy, The Immortals of Mehula (2010), is a contemporary mythological narrative that retells the story of Lord Shiva by portraying him not simply as a godlike figure but also as a normal human being whose behaviours and ethical actions gradually alters him into the legendary lord, Mahadev. The selected novel blends with mythology, history, fantasy, Indian culture, politics and social commentary. The presented paper explores The Immortals of Meluha through the conceptual framework of cultural evils, with specific focus on caste and gender discrimination, religious orthodoxy, social discrimination, patriarchal authority and political exploitation.   The study focuses on Amish Tripathi’s representation of the society Meluha is preciously paradoxical. At first, Meluha is portrayed as a unique perfect and orderly society well-known according to the principles of Lord Ram. The novel also cross-examines gender inequality. The female major character, Sati is a warrior and a capable individual, yet her identity is suppressed by patriarchal and religious laws. Through this character, the author proves the contradiction between women’s actual abilities and the restrictions forced upon them in the name of culture. Further, the novel demands religious orthodoxy by explaining that laws recognized to Lord Ram can be challenged when they become unjust. Applying qualitative textual analysis and close reading, this present study examines selected chapters, characters and dialogues from the prescribed novel. It upholds that Amish mythological reconstruction is not simply an attempt to modernize ancient mythology, it also utilities as a critique of social injustice. The study concludes that The Immortals of Meluha was mythology to question inherited social conventions and clarifies a culture based on merit, equality, rationality, compassion and individual dignity.