“Let’s learn from the stories and not hide from the truth,” said author Devdutt Pattanaik at the Kolkata Literary Meet 2026, where he discussed his book Sati Savitri, offering fresh perspectives on mythological beliefs and the stories of Sati, Savitri, and Shikhandi. Sati Savitri explores the evolution of womanhood and feminism across different yugas, providing insights into the lives of women in mythology and what power, freedom, and agency meant for them in their times. Pattanaik was in conversation with Milee AshwaryaReflecting on how myths shape social imagination, gender roles, and moral frameworks, Pattanaik, discussing the characters from his book Sati Savitri, said, “Sati and Savitri are not defined by patriarchal constraints. Pattanaik also addressed gender identity through the story of Shikhandi, highlighting how ancient myths recognised gender fluidity long before modern discourse. Pattanaik’s insights demonstrated that women in mythology were often far more decisive, empowered, and self-determining than popular retellings suggest.

Source: The Telegraph January 25, 2026 06:19 UTC