{"product_id":"shikhandi-and-other-tales-they-dont-tell-you-by-devdutt-pattanaik-book","title":"Shikhandi: And Other Tales They Don't Tell You by Devdutt Pattanaik","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Shikhandi: And Other Tales They Don't Tell You by Devdutt Pattanaik – A Bold Mythology Collection About Gender, Identity, Transformation, and Forgotten Stories\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShikhandi: And Other Tales They Don't Tell You by Devdutt Pattanaik is a short, thought-provoking collection that looks at gender, identity, desire, and transformation through stories from Indian mythology and related traditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the center is Shikhandi, the Mahabharata character whose life crosses gender boundaries and whose presence becomes important in the fall of Bhishma. Around this story, Pattanaik presents many other tales involving transformation, same-sex bonds, unusual births, cross-dressing, shifting identities, and bodies that do not follow ordinary expectations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe current Penguin edition uses the subtitle And Other Queer Tales They Don't Tell You. Earlier editions were published without the word “Queer” in the subtitle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOld Stories That Many Readers Rarely Hear\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMany people grow up hearing the most famous parts of the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, and other Indian traditions. They know the great wars, famous kings, divine heroes, and well-known moral lessons.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut large traditions contain far more than the most repeated stories.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePattanaik chooses episodes that are often left out of school lessons, family retellings, television versions, and popular summaries. Some are playful. Some are strange. Some are deeply moving. Others can be disturbing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInstead of treating mythology as one fixed story, the book shows a world filled with many versions, regional memories, oral traditions, symbols, and unusual characters.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShikhandi Opens the Door to a Bigger Question\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShikhandi is one of the most important figures in the collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the Mahabharata tradition, Shikhandi is connected with Amba and later becomes central to Bhishma's defeat at Kurukshetra. Pattanaik uses the character to open a wider discussion about gender change, social identity, marriage, duty, and the way people define manhood and womanhood.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe story matters because Shikhandi is not placed at the edge of the epic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePattanaik then moves outward from Shikhandi to other stories where bodies, names, roles, or relationships change. By placing these tales together, he asks readers to notice a pattern that may be missed when each story is heard alone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGods and Humans Do Not Always Stay Inside One Gender Role\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe collection includes stories about figures who move between male and female forms, take on another gender for a purpose, or are born in ways that challenge ordinary family patterns.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe publisher highlights examples such as Mahadeva becoming a woman to deliver a devotee's child, Chudala becoming a man to enlighten her husband, and Samavan becoming the wife of his male friend.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese stories are not all the same.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome involve desire. Some involve disguise. Some involve divine power. Some are about teaching, duty, birth, marriage, friendship, or social rules. That difference matters.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePattanaik does not present every transformation as identical. Instead, the collection shows how varied Indian mythic imagination can be.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor readers, this variety can make the book more useful than a simple list of labels. Each tale asks you to think about why a character changes and what that change means inside the story.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Book Connects Mythology With Modern Questions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne reason Shikhandi continues to attract readers is that the stories are old, but the questions feel current.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow do people decide what counts as masculine or feminine? Is gender only about the body? What happens when social rules do not fit a person's life? Why are some stories remembered while others are quietly ignored?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePattanaik uses mythology to open these questions without pretending that ancient tales use modern language in exactly the same way we do today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe book is an interpretation of myth, not proof that every ancient community understood gender and sexuality in one single modern way. Mythological traditions are complex, and scholars, readers, believers, and communities may interpret the same story differently.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSimple Retellings Make Difficult Ideas Easier to Enter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePattanaik is known for writing mythology in a clear, direct style, and that approach suits this collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe stories are short. The language is simple. The author often adds notes or ideas that help readers connect the tale with wider questions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou do not need to be a scholar of Sanskrit texts or Indian religious history to begin.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA short retelling can introduce a character or idea, and readers who want more detail can later explore other translations, commentaries, or source traditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt gives you names, stories, symbols, and questions that can lead to deeper reading.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDevdutt Pattanaik's Illustrations Add Another Layer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePattanaik does not only write about mythology. He is also known for his simple line illustrations, and Penguin notes that he illustrates his own books.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe drawings fit his storytelling style because they reduce a complex scene to a few clear visual signs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor some readers, that makes mythology easier to remember. A symbol, body position, object, or relationship shown in a small drawing can help connect the visual idea with the story.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey are part of Pattanaik's own modern presentation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIndian Traditions Are Compared With Stories From Elsewhere\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe publisher description notes that Pattanaik places Indian tales beside examples from other cultures, including stories connected with Gilgamesh, Ganymede, Sodom, and the Chinese “cut sleeve” tradition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBy looking at different cultures, readers can see that societies across time have told stories about desire, gender, friendship, bodies, and relationships that do not always fit simple rules.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis comparative approach can be useful for readers interested in mythology beyond one country. It shows that questions about identity are not limited to one religion, language, or historical period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Collection Can Challenge What You Thought You Knew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA familiar mythology can feel fixed when we hear the same stories again and again.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShikhandi works by breaking that comfort.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA reader may recognize Krishna, Shiva, Arjuna, or other famous figures but discover an episode they have never heard before. Another reader may know the episode but have never considered it through questions of gender or queerness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe book encourages readers to ask why some parts of tradition become famous while other parts stay hidden.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSometimes the reason may be simple: epics are enormous, and no retelling can include everything. In other cases, social discomfort may affect what families, teachers, publishers, or television producers choose to repeat.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRead It With Curiosity, Not as the Only Interpretation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMythology does not belong to one voice.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStories can have different versions across texts, regions, languages, communities, and historical periods. A character may be understood differently depending on which source a reader follows.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePattanaik offers one accessible interpretive lens. His focus here is queerness, fluidity, and the limits of rigid gender categories.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReaders should remember that this is his presentation of the material.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou can compare his retelling with another translation, look for the original source he mentions, or discuss why two readers understand the same myth differently.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWho Will Enjoy Shikhandi Most?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis book is a strong choice for readers interested in Indian mythology, Hindu traditions, gender studies, queer studies, cultural history, folklore, comparative mythology, and short retellings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStudents can use it as a starting point for discussion, but it should not be treated as the only academic source on ancient Indian gender or sexuality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBook clubs may find plenty to talk about because the stories raise questions about tradition, interpretation, identity, social rules, marriage, bodies, and memory.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePenguin also gives a mature-audience warning. Some stories include sexual themes, unusual births, bodily transformation, and material that may be disturbing for younger readers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Premium Copy for Reading and Reference\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBookish Wonderland prepares this edition for readers who want a comfortable physical copy for regular reading. It uses premium eye-soothing cream paper, crystal-clear printing, and high-quality stitched and glue binding designed for better longevity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe softer page tone can make reading easier during longer sessions, while sharp printing keeps both text and illustrations clear. Strong binding is useful for a mythology book you may return to for reference, lend to a friend, mark for study, or keep in a personal collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLooking for Shikhandi by Devdutt Pattanaik Price in Bangladesh?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you are comparing the Book price in Bangladesh for Shikhandi by Devdutt Pattanaik, consider the exact edition as well as the current selling price.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePenguin Random House India lists the paperback edition at 200 pages with ISBN 9789383074846. Earlier listings and reprints may show small differences in subtitle, pagination, cover design, or imprint.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBookish Wonderland aims to balance reading comfort, durability, and value. Check the current product listing for the latest selling price because book prices can change with stock, edition, printing, and supply conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEasy Ordering Across Bangladesh\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBookish Wonderland offers nationwide delivery, including delivery inside and outside Dhaka. Cash on Delivery is available across Bangladesh, so readers can order without paying online first.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFast or urgent delivery may also be available in Dhaka when you need the book sooner.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou can order it for personal reading, study, discussion, gifting, or a growing mythology collection. If you need book customization or have a question about the exact edition, contact Bookish Wonderland through its available Facebook or Instagram support channels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiscover the Stories That Sit Outside the Familiar Version\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShikhandi: And Other Tales They Don't Tell You by Devdutt Pattanaik is valuable because it asks readers to notice what familiar retellings often leave behind.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese are not new characters invented for a modern debate. They come from old mythic, literary, and oral traditions that have been told in different forms for generations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBy placing them together, Pattanaik creates a book about variety.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBodies change. Roles change. Relationships take unexpected forms. Gods and humans step outside ordinary categories. Stories that may once have seemed like strange side episodes begin to look connected.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe result is a collection that can surprise readers who think they already know Indian mythology.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you want a short, illustrated book that opens discussion about gender, identity, queerness, mythology, and the many ways ancient stories imagine human experience, this is a meaningful addition to your shelf.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrder Shikhandi: And Other Tales They Don't Tell You by Devdutt Pattanaik from Bookish Wonderland and explore a side of Indian mythology that is playful, challenging, sometimes unsettling, and far more varied than many popular retellings suggest.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf you require any customization or have any questions, please inbox us via FB or Insta.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bookish Wonderland","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":43733411889249,"sku":null,"price":165.0,"currency_code":"BDT","in_stock":true},{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":43733411922017,"sku":null,"price":239.0,"currency_code":"BDT","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0619\/1788\/8609\/files\/Shikhandi_And_Other_Tales_They_Don_t_Tell_You_by_Devdutt_Pattanaik_in_BD.jpg?v=1789120545","url":"https:\/\/bookishwonderland.com\/products\/shikhandi-and-other-tales-they-dont-tell-you-by-devdutt-pattanaik-book","provider":"Bookish Wonderland","version":"1.0","type":"link"}