Myths, Beliefs and Practices in the Select Plays of Mahesh Dattani

Abstract

Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms defines myth “as a kind of story or rudimentary narrative sequence, normally traditional and anonymous, through which a given culture ratifies its social customs or accounts for the origins of human and natural phenomena, usually in supernatural or boldly imaginative terms. The term myth has a wide range of meanings, which can be divided roughly into ‘rationalist’ and ‘romantic’ versions: In the first, a ‘myth’ is a false or unreliable story or belief (adjective: mythical), while in the second, ‘myth’ is a superior intuitive mode of cosmic understanding (adjective: mythic). In most literary contexts, the second kind of usage prevails, and, myths are regarded as fictional stories containing deeper truths, expressing collective attitudes to fundamental matters of life, death, divinity, and existence. (Baldick 235) Myths are the source of one’s culture, tradition, rituals, celebrations, beliefs and practices. All information regarding a particular group of people is revealed through myths. The information said in myths cannot be proved; yet it does not give room for suspicion because of the interest that it kindles on reading. Myths find its place even in contemporary writings as it fascinates the readers of all times and ages. As the mythological characters are not found in real life it fascinates the readers. The message which is conveyed through the myths will be very effective. In short, it will be apt to quote Coleridge; “willing suspension of disbelief”. We will not use our rational thinking to question it. Myths often help the readers to know the origin of some event. It teaches some virtues, it gives confidence and hope to people who are in grief. The focus of this paper is to bring out the myths used in Dattani’s select plays and also to show the beliefs and practises of the people found in the select plays of Mahesh Dattani.