#myths and epics

[rrcraft-and-lore]

Bhats (not to be confused with the surname) - the bards of India.

Who are they? What are they? And what do they?

Well, simply put, they are/were storytellers -- the bards of South Asia.

They have also served as mythographers. What is a mythographer?

Think Snorri Sturluson or Ovid.

They will collect, translate, tell, or write collections of mythic stories that carry historical importance, pass it on, share it, perform.

As the valuation and societal weight of/on castes grew, eventually bards/Bhats were split into two sorts: An upper class and lower class in whom they served.

The wealthy, higher castes had their own bhats that served in many respects for a modern western comp. like the Maesters out of game of thrones. They would tell stories tied to and recite genealogy - family history as well as educational stories, and even perform storied eulogies for the passing of family members in wealthy families. The lower class bhats would do genealogy for patrons as well as a focus more on entertainment but not necessarily education (though you can argue that because stories are educational.

Unfortunately, this division and status worsened with time with sort of an upper class privileged bard/bhat that performed praise songs, story-tellers, and revered poets, vs the lower class "puppeteers or mummers telling folk tales only" -- considered riffraff.

The upper class of bards especially served Rajput families in ensuring glory, recognition, histories of their families deeds/goodness, birth, impeccable genealogy, all of which of course was used to continue to hold on to or grow political appeal/legitimacy and social status.

At times, bhats, along with monks (particularly of Jainistic backgrounds), and those of the Hindu Brahmin caste would compete in storytelling to mold/shape perception of tales among the royalty and those they wished to convince of certain ways of thinking by telling alternative histories or tales of family lines/kings past, and deeds done by them, and the kingdoms themselves.

Note: THEY DID NOT tell alternative versions of the epics/myths.

Now, that has happened through time and travel. There are alternative/localized versions of the South Asian myths and epics in many regions and other Asian countries due to travel and time - mostly carried through by Buddhism and its spread. This includes variations in Ramayama and Mahabharata in places.

But the Bhats, pandits, Brahmins, and other forms of storytellers/priests, sages, wise ones, did not by and large contribute to that. Not at least in the example and history here which is being relegated to their performance/duties for royal families, and then public with the lower class of bhats, who sadly continued to suffer as well as the upper class with British Raj which stripped many of their honor and status and left most historical families of storytellers by caste impoverished and these are just some light notes on one part of India's diverse and rich layered storytelling history and people who did it.

This part of the world had stories told by priests, sages, poets, bards, courtesans, and more.

It's home to so many styles and structures of storytelling (I did a primer on those a while back) unique to it and some that went on to spur/inspire structures used onward.

[kochei0]

I turn to Ares.

Thanks to Tyler Miles Lockett who allowed me to draw inspiration from his ARES piece for page 2! Look at his etsy page it's SICK

⚔️ If you want to read some queer retelling of arturian legends have a look at my webtoon

[elianzis]

The King has returned

[rustic-space-fiddle]

WIP of Penelope with her forever-unfinished shroud.

[theghostleeapparition]

Hermes playing peakaboo with baby Telemachus

[sol-niczka]

The aftermath of "God Games"

Some Epic: the Musical fanart I've done in the recent months!! I have more so I'll probs post that too lmao, but yeah, this one's my favorite so far I think <3

[sableunavailable]

wyd in this situation

[cup1d-ch4rm]

Oh my boy, the sweetest joy I’ve know.

Flipped + Close-up

[tenoart]

Shout out to the only straight couple ever

[gigizetz]

warrior Penelope au because women in armor + holding swords >>>>

[msbunnat]

🦉 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒂𝒓 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒓

Here is my Atena design!

I'm thinking of making her a little more muscular, but slender, as if she represented the agility of battles. She rarely smiles, like a strict teacher who wants the best for you and one way or another, she will always be remembered. Also her snakes re a refference to medusa, as they represent each other (as my friend told me and I love to see like that).

And! Apollo and Athena after 'God Games' in EPIC - the musical and she gets this lightning scar.

Zeus beat the crap out of her, but he would never kill Athena!! And I like that it suits him to be so strict with her, at least for me, she is the oldest daughter and the one who suffers the most pressure. What I dont like... its that in Epic, Zeus changed to look worse again!! ;w; really, he was way chill about releasing Odisseus and just wanted to not upset Poseidon in the process....

[ardenzia777]

The Whole Album is so good, but I felt that "Would You Fall In Love with Me Again" Took the cake as the song from the Album to get an on Release Artpiece from me

Enjoy this speed paint, and uuuuhhh yeah I think i may do an image for each song from this saga cause i have ideas for ALLLL

Also some close ups

Peep the blood on his hands, mans has done things, but she loves him regardless ;w; Also homie is crying cause he has been waiting for this moment, nah, fighting for this moment for 20 years now Also the Olive Tree in the background uwu

Also i HAD to had Polites, ya already know hehe

HE IS SO HAPPY ODY FINALLY MADE IT HOME SAFELYYYYY

Also sure yeah I included Eurylochus as well uwu (peep the horns made out of lighting, yeah i know what you did Eury ewe, but I include u none the less uwu)

This whole journey has been amazing, it's bittersweet to see EPIC reach its end, but i'm glad it ended so happily (in the song, RIP IRL Ithaca)

[angelicathedaisy]

the underworld in a nutshell

[elianzis]

Mercy? Mercy?

[maybemacdc]

a little tribute to my new fav song from the epic musical

[theghostleeapparition]

More of them because y'all seemed to like em

Blep war

Squish