Distortion of Narration in Cinematic Representation of The Mahābhārata: Text v/s Visual Media

Abstract

Over the years, the Mahābhārata (Mbh) continues to fascinate its readers and viewers with its mesmeric narrative events and magical mythical facets. As a result, various interpretations of the epic have been heaved as surging waves of the time in literature in the form of novels, stories, comics, films, theatre-plays etc. In modern times, text no more stands out as a popular choice among the masses. Cinema, television, and new media are emerging as popular mediums where masses are probing to seek the epic, like Mbh, as a more vibrant manner of expression. Besides this, visual media tends to impress viewers by fashioning powerful dialogues, weighty stage-production, costumes, charismatic characters, hi-tech cinematography etc. These experimentations, to charm the audiences, somehow fail to postulate the authentic teachings, completely submerged in its glittering plot. As a result, there is much discrepancy seen between the text and Mbh through mass media. The paper analyses the role and impact of mass media/new media by paying attention to the popular TV series and movies in India with the perspective of the first translated version of The Mahabharata by K.M.Ganguly (1883-1896).