Abstract

This study investigates the dynamics of gender and power distribution, focusing on societal expectations and responsibilities for those identifying as men, women, and transgender. This analysis examines the influence of gendered biological characteristics on power systems, emphasizing the significant role of myths in determining the fundamental aspects of culture. Conversely, the study examines the role of epics as pedagogical instruments, safeguarding cultural ideologies throughout successive eras. The focus is on examining how gender-queer individuals are portrayed in epic literature, which provides evidence of nonbinary identities in historical periods. This analysis helps us better understand cultural stories and the roles assigned to different genders. This research investigates mythological, symbolic, folkloric, and religious tales to assess gender ideology. This study examines two liminal characters in epics and folklore: Shikhandi, who is a transgender representative in Devdutt Pattanaik’s Shikhandi and Other Queer Tales They Don’t Tell You, and Teeja and Beeja, in New Life who challenged ancient heterosexual power patterns. The study characters challenged mythological gender boundaries and heteronormative power structures. Oral queer narratives in folklore and mythologies will be studied to show how folklore and mythology share plot structure and meaning. This study examines gender-queer opposition to subjectivity’s normative order. The study highlights marginal identity crises and resistance using cultural discourse and queer ideas.