Who Owns the Myths? An Enquiry into Cultural Appropriation and Proprietorship

Abstract

Cultural narratives, particularly mythological texts, have long served as sites of socio-political contestations. Questions of ownership, authority, and representation become deeply entangled with legal and cultural frameworks when we look at how adaptations come under the scrutiny of censorship and incite public outrage. This paper explores these questions by examining two animated film adaptations: Sita Sings the Blues and Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama. The paper utilises the concept of cultural proprietorship as a framework to examine the cultural and social forces at work in adapting the Ramayana, which holds a tremendous pull within the public even to this day. By analysing the divergent reception of the two films, it further argues that the existing legal structures of intellectual property rights and ownership often fall short in dealing with the complex questions that arise with the interplay of cultural, political, and social agencies in the case of cinematic adaptations of myths. The paper shows that cultural ownership has become more powerful than any copyright law. This disparity underscores how cultural ownership can function as an exclusionary mechanism that limits creative reinterpretations and alternative readings of myths, reinforcing hegemonic narratives while marginalising dissenting voices. Furthermore, the paper situates this discussion within broader debates on freedom of expression, artistic liberty, and the evolving role of myths and folklore in contemporary societies. This paper argues for a more nuanced understanding of cultural adaptation—one that acknowledges myths as evolving, dynamic entities rather than fixed cultural artefacts monopolised by particular groups. By problematising the intersection of law, culture, and myths, the paper contributes to ongoing discourses on intellectual property, media representation, and cultural hegemony.