Myth Re-imagined: Tech-driven Storytelling in Kalki
Vatsyayan, Anupam
Head, PG Department of English, Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujarkhan Campus, Model Town, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
Abstract
The movie Kalki 2898 AD exemplifies a seamless fusion of futuristic technology and ancient mythology, showcasing how this blend shapes both the narrative and its characters. It serves as a prime archetype of balancing technological advancements with mythological depth. While Kalki employs cutting-edge technology to immerse the audience in a vividly imagined futuristic world heralding the arrival of Lord Vishnu’s tenth reincarnation, it simultaneously critiques the risks and ethical dilemmas posed by rapid technological progress. This paper delves into the dual portrayal of technology in the movie Kalki 2898 AD: as a tool for engagement and storytelling, and as a harbinger of potential societal challenges. The extensive use of VFX and advanced AI tools brings mythical characters, celestial realms, and divine battles to life, creating a sensory-rich cinematic experience. By examining these elements, the paper seeks to unravel how Kalki re-imagines mythology through a tech-driven lens, blending ancient wisdom with contemporary innovation. Representation of divinity and apocalyptic themes, crafted to depict divine interventions or end-times scenarios, will be analyzed alongside the contemporary setting, reflecting issues like climate change, societal decay, and technological overreach. This study reveals how the technological and mythological dimensions of Kalki have broader cultural, societal, and cinematic implications.
Keywords: Futuristic technology, Mythology, Storytelling, Apocalypse, Climate change, and Societal decay
Impact Statement
My research has significantly contributed to the fields of literary and cultural studies, with a focus on adaptation, contextualization, film studies, and comparative literature. Over the course of my academic career, I have engaged in extensive research, teaching, and editorial work, shaping scholarly discourse and fostering intellectual inquiry.
My book, Re-visiting and Re-staging, published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing in 2016, has been widely distributed and is housed in prestigious institutions such as the Weldon Library, Ontario University, Canada. This work has provided fresh insights into adaptation studies, emphasizing the evolving nature of literary and theatrical reinterpretations. Additionally, my research papers and conference presentations have explored diverse aspects of literature, from mythology and digital storytelling to interdisciplinary approaches in cultural studies.
As a Ph.D. Supervisor at Panjab University and Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Literary Aesthetics, I have facilitated academic discussions and mentored scholars in their research pursuits. My contributions have been recognized through prestigious awards, including the Chanakya Award 2024 for Excellence in Education and the Isaac Sequeira Memorial Award for Best Conference Paper. Through my scholarship, I continue to contribute to the critical understanding of literature in contemporary contexts, influencing academic discourse on a global scale.
About The Author
Dr. Anupam Vatsyayan is an accomplished academician, researcher, and editor with 17 years of teaching experience. Currently serving as the HOD, PG Department of English, Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujarkhan Campus, Ludhiana, Punjab, she began her career at Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women, Chandigarh, and later taught at the Department of English and Cultural Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, as a Junior Research Fellow. In 2019, she was approved as a Ph.D. Supervisor at Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Her research contributions include the book Re-visiting and Re-staging, published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing in 2016 and has been placed in the Weldon Library of Ontario University, Canada, among others. She has served as Assistant Editor for MEJO (The MELOW Journal of World Literature) and is the Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Literary Aesthetics (ISSN No.: 2347-8705).
She was appointed by the Directorate of Distance & Online Education (DD&OE) at the University of Jammu, Jammu to create content and present video lectures for the PG (English) program in Feb-March, 2024 as well as Feb 2025. Her accolades include the Chanakya Award 2024 for Excellence in Education, the Isaac Sequeira Memorial Award (2015), and Best Paper Presentation (2024) at the One-Day International Multidisciplinary Conference held at MDSD College, Ambala City, Haryana on December 20, 2024. Dr. Vatsyayan is also a Life Member of the Society of MELOW and a member of ELTAI. Her work reflects a deep commitment to education, research, and literary scholarship.
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