Bringing the mythologies home

Lupita Nyong’o plays Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan’s forthcoming epic film The Odyssey. And the casting has sparked an incredible online backlash. Lupita noted that it is a mythological story, and open to interpretation. And then she went into a transcendental mode and said she is not spending her time thinking of a defense, noting, “You can’t perform beauty”.

This stayed with me, when the other day, we were discussing the trailer of the new ‘Ramayana’ on the dining table, and the consensus across was it was too grand, too ‘clean’, too ‘removed from reality’ (whatever that meant!!) - when actually, as dad said, Ram was the lord of a very small kingdom, almost like a provincial king. We all agreed that, at least, the film seemed to be better-looking than the kitsch of the eponymous series ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharat’, which for multiple generations became the visual definition of the epics.

Alas, nobody remembers Shyam Benegal’s incredible ‘Bharat ek Khoj’ based on Nehru’s ‘Discovery of India’, where he deglamorizes everybody - Lord Krishna is portrayed not as a magnificent mythological deity or god, but as a pragmatic philosopher. Actor Salim Ghouse wore a peacock feather on his forehead and a rugged gold necklace - and made you cry when he accepted Gandhari’s curse after her hundred sons died in the battlefield.

In films, and consequently in our imaginations, both the costumes and the looks could have a sense of verisimilitude from the approximate times they are set in, but beyond that it is always gorgeous conjecture. I guess, since it’s a childhood memory, the B.R.Chopra-kitsch remains!

But beyond this, what I would love to have is a Karna or Lord Krishna or the wise Yudhistra on my working table or mantel - and a fiery Sita for my niece and a brave Arjuna for my nephew. Because as author Ryan Holiday reminds us “What surrounds you, defines you.”

And that’s my grouse.

My home is strewn with memorabilia brought from all the countries we’ve visited. But tragically our mantels are bereft of anything relating to the mythologies. Both Ramayana and Mahabharata are literally a part of our daily lore, but there is just nothing in the market of a quality which could match my Mum’s Wedgewood or Murano.

Also, when Devang was growing up, amongst his toys were He-Man and GI Joe and Transformers. Alas, no Arjun or Bhima or Hanuman. Lord Ram and Krishna adorned the small sanctuary for prayers, but never as a toy or figurine to fire a child’s imagination.

Hence, serendipitously, when I encountered a couple who had commenced giving our mythology and its characters the respect and fun it was due, I was truly intrigued.

Tiyasha and Paranjay had full-time jobs, but when they saw this gap in the market, where our consumption was bereft of Indian icons, they went about experimenting as to how to bridge it. They started working with designer Nikhil Sisodia. And the first step towards fulfilling that dream has been taken.

In a series called Viraasat, they’ve introduced a tableaux conveying both the iconic Game of Dice as well as the Battle of Kurukshetra. This is how they describe it -

“Inspired by the Mahabharata, this limited-edition luxury artefact reimagines Indian mythology, strategy, and civilizational memory as a collectible decor piece for modern Indian homes.”

Unsurprisingly, the response has been overwhelming. And they now have a waitlist.

They have already started planning for the future, which holds action figurines, series of collectibles, gaming, games, tableaux, et al, focused on icons from the Indian mythologies. They would like new generations to delve deeper into all the incredible stories which hold such meaning, and are the foundation of our Indic civilization.

Devang and I spoke to Tiyasha and Paranjay about what inspired them, how they went about creating Viraasat, and what they are planning for the future. Here goes the conversation.

I just hope they are brave in their interpretations (like Nolan and Benegal), and intrigue the hell out of a new generation, who need to see our ancient and hoary lore as something which finds relevance and resonance in their lives.

Interpretation? Of course.

Reinterpretation? Requires a brave soul.

Onwards!!

Shot & edited by Devang

Check out Virasaat’s Instagram account and if your interest is piqued, contact them for personal viewing and purchase. (+91 9836928097, info@viraasatvault.com)

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