Is the Ramayana mythology or civilisational memory? India’s top historical fiction authors say the line is the wrong question entirely.
A panel featuring bestselling authors Amish Tripathi, Amey Deshpande, Brijesh Sooch, and Tarun Vijay examines where itihasa ends and imagination begins — and why the West’s insistence on a single truth is fundamentally un-Indian. Their shared position: what we call mythology is blood-memory, preserved in tale, tradition, and wisdom precisely because it happened. The discussion traces the craft behind blending documented history with epic lore, how great historical fiction earns the right to its imagination, and why India’s plural epistemology — comfortable with multiple simultaneous truths — is not a philosophical weakness but a civilisational gift the entire world needs right now.
About Speakers:
Amish Tripathi is one of India’s bestselling authors, known for blending mythology, philosophy, and history in gripping narratives. Often called “India’s Tolkien,” his 11 books have sold over 7 million copies and been translated into 20 languages. Amish is widely praised for his deep research, rooted pride in India, and progressive worldview.
Ameya Pratap Singh is the author of Ram: A Global History. He holds degrees from the London School of Economics, the University of Cambridge, and a DPhil from the University of Oxford. He has written for major national and international publications, and has a chapter in an upcoming Springer Nature volume edited by Kishore Mahbubani.
Brijesh Singh is a senior IPS officer and former principal secretary to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He previously served as Additional Director-General of Police and led Maharashtra Cyber for several years. A noted voice on cybersecurity, he is the author of the thriller Quantum Siege and co-author of Dangerous Minds of India.
Tarun Mehrishi is a graduate of National Law School, Bangalore, and the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. After moving on from corporate law, he spent over a decade in sports marketing, serving as COO at IOS Sports and Head of Consulting at Rise Worldwide. He now focuses on building an EV rental venture and pursuing his passion for writing.
Eika Chaturvedi Banerjee (Moderator) is the founder of Eikam Resonance, a purpose-driven organization exploring ancient wisdom to address modern challenges. With two decades in corporate leadership—including as CEO of Future Learning—she is also the author of 52RedPills and Tales of Panchkanya, and a contributor to the Nari Shakti anthology.
