PVLF 2025

Interview with Devdutt Pattanaik, author of "The Stories We Tell: Mythology to Make Sense of Modern Lives"

on Oct 18, 2022

Devdutt Pattanaik writes, illustrates, and lectures on the relevance of mythology in modern times. He has, since 1996, written over fifty books and 1,000 columns on how stories, symbols, and rituals construct the subjective truth (myths) of ancient and modern cultures around the world. His books include Pilgrim Nation, Business Sutra: A Very Indian Approach to Management, The Success Sutra: An Indian Approach to Wealth, The Talent Sutra: An Indian Approach to Learning, and The Leadership Sutra: An Indian Approach to Power.

Frontlist: How did your webcast series "Teatime Tales" make you write "The Stories We Tell" book in the first place?

Devdutt: During and after the webcast was completed, I used to get many queries from my listeners. Some gave me ideas about topics to talk about; some of them I had already spoken about. I realized everyone couldn't go through every episode available online, so I decided to turn the webcast into a book.

Frontlist: As a part of society, we all have this fabricated notion that all religions are disparate. However, in this book, you've debunked all myths and given an equal vision that all religions are somehow associated with each other. What would you like to say in this context?

Devdutt: I never say all religions are the same, and I tell all myths are different.

Frontlist: Across 72 tales, which tale is your favorite, and what lesson would this tale teach readers?

Devdutt: All tales are favorites. Hence shared with all.

Frontlist: In the "Why Stop at Seventy-Two

Devdutt: When I started the webcast at the beginning of India's countrywide lockdown to battle Covid-19, I genuinely believed the lockdown would end in a few weeks, but it then became clear that we would remain indoors for a long time. I knew I would not be able to sustain the enterprise endlessly. So, I decided to end it gracefully after 72 episodes. Why seventy-two? Well, you will find out in the book.

Frontlist: You've been famous as a renowned mythologist. Why is it imperative that everyone comes across Indian Storytelling once in a lifetime?

Devdutt: Every generation has the same emotional needs, and Storytelling focuses on those emotional needs. We all have insecurities, we all seek love, we all fear hatred, and we yearn for affection and admiration. So, when you are telling the story, you must keep the needs of the reader in mind. That is how good storytelling emerges. Indian philosophy is based on the idea of rebirth and not one life like the Western counterparts. This opens people to new ideas of belief and a new way of looking at life.

Frontlist: What role does mythology have in contemporary life?

Devdutt: Every generation has the same emotional needs, and Storytelling focuses on those emotional needs; we all have insecurities, seek love, fear hatred, and yearn for affection and admiration. So when you tell the story, you must keep the reader's needs in mind, and that's how good storytelling emerges.

Frontlist: Our youth is way more distant from comprehending the complexities of mythology. Do you believe they will start looking upon ancient stories in a straightforward way via this book and bring a change into their life perspectives?

Devdutt: My writing is not meant to direct people in a particular direction; I hope it makes them look, think, question, and appreciate the complex ideas passed down through storytelling.

Frontlist: What is the significance of mythology in your life, and how has mythology altered you to disseminate wisdom to everyone?

Devdutt: Mythology tells us how to look at life. Some mythologies tell us that this is the only life at the end of which we will be judged by God, which means there is a climax to our life. Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain mythologies say that this life is one of the many lives you will lead, there is no climax to life, and life ebbs and flows.

Mythology made me realize people are not equal, and they are diverse. We confuse diversity with equality.