India was woven together by pilgrim paths. Seekers and sages travelled in all directions, across mountains and along rivers, ignoring artificial boundaries, seeking and finding gods. The urban ecosystem draws people from various parts of the country, each bringing their own gods and goddesses with them. To Mumbai, the Marathas brought Khandoba, the Rajasthanis brought Khatu-Shyamji, the Goans brought Shantadurga, the Odias brought Jagannath, and the Punjabis brought Vaishno Devi. How do these deities change when they arrive in Mumbai? Is mythology static, or is it as dynamic as the city itself? At our landmark 300th Online Talk #UrbanGods, writer and mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik will delve into the topic on how Indian mythology evolved due to migration, adapting to needs of people in their localised urban ecosystems.

About the speaker:

Devdutt Pattanaik is an Indian mythologist, writer, illustrator, and speaker known for explaining the relevance of Hindu mythology in modern times, especially in management, leadership, and everyday life. With a background as a medical doctor and a 15-year career in the healthcare and pharma industries, he has written over 50 books and 1,500 newspaper columns on these topics, with popular works including Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata and Business Sutra. His TV shows include Devlok and Business Sutra and he also consults for organisations and media on storytelling and culture.