ABP Network Ideas Of India 2023: Renowned author, mythologist, author, illustrator and speaker Devdutt Pattanaik shared his thoughts on the subjetcs ranging from mythology to asking questions in democracy during the second edition of ABP Network Ideas of India. Opening his session on 'The Epic Stories: Why Our Myths Are Still Alive', Pattnaik started with differentiating between what is science and science fiction, history and historical fiction, and mythology and mythological fiction.
To set the difference, Pattnaik stated example of human DNA classifying it as science but the movie Jurassic Park being science fiction. Likewise "that Hyderabad nizam state where there were Gonds who rebeled against authorities is history but RRR (movie) is historical fiction" while Bahubali is a "pure, wonderful fantasy".
Coming to difference between mythology and mythological fiction, Pattnaik explained that reading stories from the Bible is the former concept while reading a novel by Dan Brown is the latter one.
Why Is Hinduism Called Mythology And Not Islam Or Christianity
In his introductory speech, Pattnaik said that he has been often asked as to why Hinduism is called mythology but not Islam or Christianity.
"The problem is they never open Google. Open Google and search for Islamic mythology and and you will get a lots of article. Do a Google search on Christian mythology and you'll get it."
"Every religous ideology is based on a mythology," Pattnaik said.
What Is Mythology
Pattnaik asked the audience to translate the title 'Why Our Myths Are Still Alive' adding that it was not an easy task. He said that there are many words like 'myth', 'evil' that come from different cultural spaces
"Etymologically, mythology comes from a Greek word, methos which means storytelling, so mythology is about stories but a particular kind of strories."
"A fact is everybody's truth, it begins with doubt and ends with measurement. Fiction is nobody's truth. Myth is somebody's truth."
Expalining the importance of mythology, Pattnaik said "when you debate when you believ there is only one truth and that is why people argue. Mythology allows you to have conversation, truths expand and change after dialogue." they are alive because we need myths because we will go mad if we do not have truth of believe
Chairing the session, Gul Panag asked Pattnaik about the importance of asking questions in democracy to which Pattnaik said that "democracy is an idea where you believe everybody's truth is valid and there are multiple truths. We will never succeed by arguing but discussion, get people together not dividing."
Diversity Vs Uniformity
In Pattaik's opinion "diversity by definition is inefficient and also lends itself to create heirarchies." He said that diversity was one of the reasons for caste system in India.
On the other hand "uniformity is efficient but takes away difference."
On democracy, Pattnaik said that "unfortunately democracy today is moving towards monotheistic ideals divind into left and right." When asked if it isnt it efficient, Pattnaik responded by saying, "it leads to crusades."
The session closed with these words of Pattnaik, "To talk about generosity is easy, to be generous is tough. To write about love is easy, to be loving is very tough,"