'Twilight' Through The Eyes Of An Indian Teen

Today’s Ypulse Books feature is from Ypulse Youth Advisory Board member Akanksha Aurora. Given all of the buzz surrounding the first “Twilight” movie, her post feels very timely and reaffirms that the “Twilight” series is indeed an international phenomenon…Remember, you can communicate directly with the Ypulse Youth Advisory Board by emailing them at youthadvisoryboard at ypulse.com.

‘Twilight’ Through The Eyes Of An Indian Teen

Indian mythology was created as a means of entertaining the masses long before television and computers. Therefore, every mythical hero or heroine had characteristics who set an example for the Indian people. Since most of these mythological characters in India were crafted for the purpose of encouraging positive transformation within its citizens, vampires could not even be conceptualized. Even though Stephanie Meyer shines a different light on vampires in her “Twilight” series, the preconceived notion of blood-sucking creatures enveloped in darkness doesn’t quite fit.

For me, fiction like Meyer’s is unorthodox and refreshing and is a hit in India due to the Indian teen’s internal quest for change and undying curiosity. Books like Twilight introduce new concepts of mythical characters to our youth, incorporating topics like relationships, love and sensuality, making us look at things in a whole new light.

The Indian teen is nothing if not transformational. The new generation of Indian teens yearns to break free from the conventional ideals set up by Indian mythology. Seeing vampires through the eyes of Meyer’s Isabella Swan has changed our perspective as the family of vampires depicted in this series is kind, warm and caring.

Indian authors such as Chitra Banerjee have also incorporated mythical concepts similar to Meyer’s within their works but have targeted an audience consisting mainly of adults.

The possibility of drastic change, of starting afresh is exquisitely captured in this stunning and beautiful collection of books, marvelously combining myth and romance; easily finding its way into our hearts. Voraciously read by Indian teens, the “Twilight” series has truly broadened our horizons.

About Akanksha

By the time she got to the much-dreaded, self-esteem destroying wasteland also known as high-school, Akanksha began to develop an interest in writing. Suddenly, all the words she ever knew began to creep into her dreams, and discover all her darkest thoughts and feelings, before silently but permanently immersing themselves within her soul and transforming themselves into fiction. In addition to that, the French language is her drug and acne is her worst enemy. She laughs a little too much and is a romantic in the extreme sense.