Entanglements:
Journal of Posthumanities
E-ISSN: 3107-488X

(Article) ‐ Volume 2, Issue 1 (Open Issue)
Moving Beyond the Human with Indian Kathās: A Post-Anthropocentric Understanding of the World
Authored By — Soumya Sur

Abstract

This research paper examines the nuanced intersections between posthumanist thought and the ancient Indian kathā tradition, foregrounding philosophical, cultural, and literary dimensions that challenge anthropocentric worldviews. Western posthumanism, as a theoretical framework, challenges conventional notions of human exceptionalism, emphasising the entanglement and coexistence of humans with nonhuman entities and technologies. In the context of the Indian Kathā tradition, which encompasses a diverse range of narratives and philosophical discourses, this paper seeks to elucidate the posthumanist themes and concepts, thereby situating posthumanist inquiry within an Indian epistemic context. Drawing from an interdisciplinary approach, this study synthesises perspectives from literature, philosophy, religious studies, and Indian narratology. It navigates through classical texts such as The Pañcatantra, Jātaka Tales and Kathāsaritsagara to analyse instances where non-human entities surpass the importance of the human entities. The research explores how these narratives depict hybrid beings, shape- shifting characters, and interactions between humans, gods, and animals, thereby challenging conventional boundaries of human subjectivity and agency. This paper also evaluates the implications of posthumanist ideals within the Kathā tradition on contemporary discourse. It contemplates the relevance of these narratives in addressing ethical dilemmas posed by the destructive tendencies of human beings. By illuminating the interconnectedness and fluidity inherent in the Kathā tradition, this research aims to contribute to the discourse on posthumanism different from the Western dominant view, enriching the understanding of human-nonhuman relationships and their implications in a globalised world with more empathy and wisdom.

Keywords

Kathā, Indian Narratology, Folklore, Posthumanism, Anti-anthropocentrism.

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