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Research Paper | English Language and Literature | Volume 15 Issue 4, April 2026 | Pages: 1897 - 1900 | India
The Skin of the Story: Texture and Mythic Intermedia in Amruta Patil's Adi Parva
Abstract: This paper examines the intersection of tactile aesthetics and mythological reimagining in Amruta Patil's graphic novel, Adi Parva: Churning of the Ocean. By employing a "mythic intermedia" approach, Patil transcends the traditional boundaries of sequential art, blending charcoal, acrylics, collage, and rich prose to create what this study terms "the skin of the story". Unlike conventional comic art that prioritizes linear clarity, Patil's textured panels demand a sensory engagement that mirrors the complexity of the Puranas. The research analyses how this tactile visuality serves a dual purpose: first, as a bridge between the ancient oral tradition and the modern graphic medium; and second, as a tool for "ecofeminist" reclamation. Through the character of the Ganga as the Sutradhaar (narrator), the narrative skin becomes a living, breathing entity that challenges the rigid, patriarchal interpretations of the Mahabharata. By investigating the materiality of Patil's work, this paper argues that the "texture" of the graphic novel is not merely decorative but is essential to its philosophical inquiry into memory, fluid identity, and the cyclical nature of time. Ultimately, Adi Parva is positioned as a transformative work that re-embodies the mythic past for a contemporary audience.
Keywords: Visual Intertextuality, Sutradhaar, Materiality in Comics
How to Cite?: Harshil Rathod, "The Skin of the Story: Texture and Mythic Intermedia in Amruta Patil's Adi Parva", Volume 15 Issue 4, April 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1897-1900, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26429111823, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26429111823