The theme of my storybook is Supernatural Women in Indian Epics. The reason that I chose this theme is that in many sources of mythology, women are overlooked or play a lesser role in stories, and this applies especially to those who are not goddesses. Thus, I wanted to focus a bit on lesser known magical women in Indian Epics. I put a lot of thought into the stories that I have chosen, because there is a great deal of raw material and untapped potential in many of these stories, as supernatural characters are not limited by the same rules that govern human characters. These are the supernatural women that I was planning on researching as well as some specific stories. Feel free to check them out and get to know their backgrounds further!

Suvannamaccha the Traitor Mermaid - She plays a crucial role in the Ramayana. Professor Gibbs says that "specifically, she is found in the Ramayana traditions of south India and elsewhere in south Asia, especially Thailand, but she is not included in the Valmiki Ramayana, which is the oldest Sanskrit Ramayana." I think her story contains several impactful elements, such as changing sides in the middle of a historic conflict.

Ulupi the Naga Princess - Ulupi is the most famous nagini. Naginis are the female versions of nagas, which are half-human, half-serpent semi-divine beings. She falls in love with Arjuna in the Mahabharata and changes both their lives, but is often overshadowed by Arjuna in renditions of their story, despite being a powerful being in her own right.

Urvashi, the Apsara who Fell in Love with a King - Urvashi’s story is a tragic love story between Urvashi, a celestial being, and Pururavas, the king she fell in love with in the mortal realm. Together, they face many challenges that threaten to tear them apart. Will their love prevail or are they destined for a doomed romance?

Surpanakha the Rakshasi Shapeshifter - Surpanakha is one of the more powerful and well-known shapeshifters who plays a major part in the Ramayana but her story is not really elaborated upon, and she is usually portrayed in a negative light. With my rendition of her story, I hope to change that, showing a more sympathetic side to her character.

These women and these stories in particular show that many women in Indian Epics had great power which could be used to help or harm those around them. I am excited for an opportunity to share their voices, as well as explore the potential for comparison and contrast between their stories and how they deal with conflicts within their story lines. I hope that you all will enjoy this journey with me!