Editing Mahabharata (section)

== Translations, versions and derivative works ==
=== Translations ===
[[File:Razmnama Bhishma.jpg|right|thumb|Bhishma on his death-bed of arrows with the [[Pandavas]] and [[Krishna]]. Folio from the ''[[Razmnama]]'' (1761–1763), Persian translation of the ''Mahabharata'', commissioned by Mughal emperor [[Akbar]]. The Pandavas are dressed in Persian armour and robes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plantcultures.org/pccms/action/showItem?id=340 |title=picture details |publisher=Plant Cultures |access-date=1 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113221249/http://www.plantcultures.org/pccms/action/showItem?id=340 |archive-date=13 November 2007 }}</ref>]]

The first [[Bengali language|Bengali]] translations of the ''Mahabharata'' emerged in the 16th century. It is disputed whether [[Kavindra Parameshwar]] of [[Hooghly district|Hooghly]] (based in [[Chittagong]] during his writing) or [[Sri Sanjay]] of [[Sylhet]] was the first to translate it into Bengali.<ref>{{cite Banglapedia|author=Mohanta, Sambaru Chandra|article=Mahabharata}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=bn|url=https://thikana.us/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9F/|work=Thikana|title=বাংলা সাহিত্যে সিলেট|author=Husam, Shamshad|access-date=31 October 2022|archive-date=26 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026220509/https://thikana.us/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9F/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A [[Persian language|Persian]] translation of ''Mahabharata'', titled ''[[Razmnameh]]'', was produced at [[Akbar]]'s orders, by [[Faizi]] and [[ʽAbd al-Qadir Badayuni]] in the 16th century.<ref>{{cite book| last= Gaṅgā Rām| first = Garg| title = Encyclopaedia of the Hindu world, Volume 1| url =https://books.google.com/books?id=0U2QRpDv2KMC&pg=PR12| page =129| isbn= 978-81-7022-376-4| year= 1992| publisher = Concept Publishing Company}}</ref>

The first complete English translation was the [[Victorian literature|Victorian]] prose version by [[Kisari Mohan Ganguli]],<ref>Several editions of the [[Kisari Mohan Ganguli]] translation of the ''Mahabharata'' incorrectly cite the publisher, Pratap Chandra Roy, as the translator and this error has been propagated into secondary citations. See the publisher's preface to the current Munshiram Manoharlal edition for an explanation.</ref> published between 1883 and 1896 (Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers) and by [[Manmatha Nath Dutt]] ([[Motilal Banarsidass]] Publishers). Most critics consider the translation by Ganguli to be faithful to the original text. The complete text of Ganguli's translation is in the [[public domain]] and is available online.<ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/maha/index.htm The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511230051/http://sacred-texts.com/hin/maha/index.htm |date=11 May 2008 }} at the [[Internet Sacred Text Archive]]</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | author = P. Lal | author-link = P. Lal | title = Kisari Mohan Ganguli and Pratap Chandra Roy | place = Calcutta | journal = An Annotated Mahabharata Bibliography | url = http://mahabharata-resources.org/ganguli-roy.html | access-date = 9 September 2013 | archive-date = 5 June 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140605081003/http://mahabharata-resources.org/ganguli-roy.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

An early poetry translation by [[Romesh Chunder Dutt]] and published in 1898 condenses the main themes of the ''Mahābhārata'' into English verse.<ref>[http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/19630 The ''Mahabharata of Krishna''-Dwaipayana Vyasa translated by Romesh Chunder Dutt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010000053/http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/19630 |date=10 October 2011 }} at the Online Library of Liberty.</ref> A poetic rendering of the full epic into English, done by the poet [[Purushottama Lal|P. Lal]] and completed posthumously by his student, was published by [[Writers Workshop (publisher)|Writers Workshop]], [[Calcutta]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mahabharata in English verse : The art of translation |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/leisure/story/20240122-mahabharata-in-english-verse-the-art-of-translation-2487859-2024-01-12 |website=India Today |language=en |date=12 January 2024}}</ref> The P. Lal translation is a non-rhyming verse-by-verse rendering, and it is the only edition in any language to include all slokas in all recensions of the work (not just those in the ''Critical Edition''). Dr. Pradip Bhattacharya stated that the P. Lal version is "known in academia as the '[[vulgate]]'".<ref name=Bhattacharya>{{Cite web|title=Review : Bibek DebRoy: The Mahabharata, volume 7|url=https://pradipbhattacharya.com/2017/05/27/review-bibek-debroy-the-mahabharata-volume-7/|access-date=2021-05-31|website=pradipbhattacharya.com|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215243/https://pradipbhattacharya.com/2017/05/27/review-bibek-debroy-the-mahabharata-volume-7/|url-status=live}}</ref> The text is a "[[transcreation]]"<ref>{{cite web |title=The Mahabharata of Vyasa – WritersWorkshopIndia.com |url=https://www.writersworkshopindia.com/books/the-mahabharata-of-vyasa-all-volumes/ |website=www.writersworkshopindia.com}}</ref> rather than a traditional translation.<ref name=AgarwalVol10>{{Cite web|last=Agarwal|first=Abhinav|date=2015-04-12|title=Book review: 'The Mahabharata' Volume 10 translated by Bibek Debroy|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/review-book-review-the-mahabharata-volume-10-translated-by-bibek-debroy-2076809|access-date=2021-05-31|website=DNA India|language=en|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602221604/https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/review-book-review-the-mahabharata-volume-10-translated-by-bibek-debroy-2076809|url-status=live}}</ref>

A project to translate the full epic into English prose, translated by various hands, began to appear in 2005 from the [[Clay Sanskrit Library]], published by [[New York University]] Press. The translation is based not on the ''Critical Edition'' but on the version known to the commentator [[Nīlakaṇṭha Caturdhara|Nīlakaṇṭha]]. Currently available are 15 volumes of the projected 32-volume edition.

Indian Vedic [[Shripad Damodar Satwalekar|Scholar Shripad Damodar Satwalekar]] translated the Critical Edition of Mahabharata into Hindi<ref>{{Cite web|title=Indian Artwork – Buddha Statues & Hindu Books – Exotic India Art|url=https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/complete-mahabharata-translated-by-padma-bhushan-shripad-damodar-satwalekar-set-of-16-volumes-NAI945/%7Caccess-date=2021-06-27|access-date=2021-06-27|website=www.exoticindiaart.com|language=en|archive-date=7 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907124735/https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/complete-mahabharata-translated-by-padma-bhushan-shripad-damodar-satwalekar-set-of-16-volumes-nai945/%7caccess-date=2021-06-27|url-status=live}}</ref> which was assigned to him by the [[Government of India]]. After his death, the task was taken up by Shrutisheel Sharma.<ref>S R, Ramaswamy (1972). ''ಮಹಾಭಾರತದ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆ''. Mysore: Kavyalaya Publishers.</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Veda Vyasa |first=S. D. Satwalekar |url=http://archive.org/details/Mahabharata_with_Hindi_Translation_-_SD_Satwalekar |title=Mahabharata with Hindi Translation – SD Satwalekar |publisher=Sanskrit eBooks |language=Sanskrit}}</ref><ref group="note">Sadwalekar has two translations in Hindi. To read BORI CE in Hindi specifically, go for the translations he published starting from 1968(BORI was published in 1966).</ref>

Indian economist [[Bibek Debroy]] also wrote an unabridged English translation in ten volumes. Volume 1: Adi Parva was published in March 2010, and the last two volumes were published in December 2014. Abhinav Agarwal referred to Debroy's translation as "thoroughly enjoyable and impressively scholarly".<ref name=AgarwalVol10/> In a review of the seventh volume, Bhattacharya stated that the translator bridged gaps in the narrative of the Critical Edition, but also noted translation errors.<ref name=Bhattacharya/> Gautam Chikermane of ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' wrote that where "both Debroy and Ganguli get tiresome is in the use of adjectives while describing protagonists".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chikermane|first=Gautam|date=2012-07-20|title=Review: The Mahabharata: Volume 5|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/review-the-mahabharata-volume-5/story-4N0tAg3jNLWFeWkxfCbHEP.html|access-date=2021-05-31|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215505/https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/review-the-mahabharata-volume-5/story-4N0tAg3jNLWFeWkxfCbHEP.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Another English prose translation of the full epic, based on the ''Critical Edition'', is in progress, published by [[University of Chicago]] Press. It was initiated by [[Indologist]] [[J. A. B. van Buitenen]] (books 1–5) and, following a 20-year hiatus caused by the death of van Buitenen is being continued by several scholars. [[James L. Fitzgerald]] translated book 11 and the first half of book 12. David Gitomer is translating book 6, Gary Tubb is translating book 7, [[Christopher Minkowski]] is translating book 8, [[Alf Hiltebeitel]] is translating books 9 and 10, Fitzgerald is translating the second half of book 12, [[Patrick Olivelle]] is translating book 13, and Fred Smith is translating book 14–18.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fitzgerald|first=James|date=2009|title=Reading Suggestions for Getting Started|url=https://www.brown.edu/Departments/Sanskrit_in_Classics_at_Brown/Mahabharata/MBh2Biblio|access-date=|website=Brown|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204021051/https://www.brown.edu/Departments/Sanskrit_in_Classics_at_Brown/Mahabharata/MBh2Biblio|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Frederick M. Smith|url=https://clas.uiowa.edu/religion/people/frederick-m-smith|website=University of Iowa|access-date=12 October 2021|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024172737/https://clas.uiowa.edu/religion/people/frederick-m-smith|url-status=live}}</ref>

Many condensed versions, abridgments and novelistic prose retellings of the complete epic have been published in English, including works by [[Ramesh Menon (writer)|Ramesh Menon]], [[William Buck (translator)|William Buck]], [[R. K. Narayan]], [[C. Rajagopalachari]], Kamala Subramaniam, [[Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi|K. M. Munshi]], Krishna Dharma Dasa, Purnaprajna Dasa, [[Romesh Chunder Dutt|Romesh C. Dutt]], Bharadvaja Sarma, [[John D. Smith]] and [[Sharon Maas]].

=== ''Critical Edition'' ===
Between 1919 and 1966, scholars at the [[Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute]], [[Pune]], compared the various manuscripts of the epic from India and abroad and produced the ''Critical Edition'' of the ''Mahābhārata'', on 13,000 pages in 19 volumes, over the span of 47 years, followed by the ''[[Harivamsha]]'' in another two volumes and six index volumes. This is the text that is usually used in current ''Mahābhārata'' studies for reference.<ref>[http://www.virtualpune.com/html/channel/edu/institutes/html/bhandark.shtml Bhandarkar Institute, Pune] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019070605/http://www.virtualpune.com/html/channel/edu/institutes/html/bhandark.shtml |date=19 October 2018 }}—Virtual Pune</ref> This work is sometimes called the "Pune" or "Poona" edition of the ''Mahabharata''.

=== Regional versions ===
Many regional versions of the work developed over time, mostly differing only in minor details, or with verses or subsidiary stories being added. These include the [[Tamil culture|Tamil]] street theatre, [[terukkuttu]] and [[kattaikkuttu]], the plays of which use themes from the Tamil language versions of ''Mahābhārata'', focusing on [[Draupadi]].<ref>{{Cite book| last = Srinivas| first = Smriti| title = Landscapes of Urban Memory| publisher = Orient Longman| orig-year = 2001| year = 2004| isbn = 978-81-250-2254-1| oclc = 46353272| page = 23}}</ref>

[[File: Wayang Wong Bharata Pandawa.jpg|thumb|The [[Pandava]]s and [[Krishna]] in an act of the Javanese ''[[wayang wong]]'' performance]]

Outside the Indian subcontinent, in [[Indonesia]], a version was developed in ancient [[Java]] as [[Kakawin Bhāratayuddha]] in the 11th century under the patronage of King [[Dharmawangsa]] (990–1016)<ref>{{cite book| title=The Javanization of the Mahābhārata, Chapter 15. Indic Transformation: The Sanskritization of Jawa and the Javanization of the Bharata| year=2006| publisher=ANU Press| doi=10.22459/A.09.2006| isbn=9780731521326| url=http://press.anu.edu.au/austronesians/austronesians/mobile_devices/ch15s07.html| editor-last1=Bellwood| editor-last2=Fox| editor-last3=Tryon| editor-first1=Peter| editor-first2=James J.| editor-first3=Darrell| doi-access=free| access-date=6 October 2014| archive-date=11 November 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111122107/http://press.anu.edu.au/austronesians/austronesians/mobile_devices/ch15s07.html| url-status=live}}</ref> and later it spread to the neighboring island of [[Bali]], which remains a Hindu majority island today. It has become the fertile source for Javanese literature, dance drama ([[wayang wong]]), and [[wayang]] shadow puppet performances. This Javanese version of the ''Mahābhārata'' differs slightly from the original Indian version.{{refn|group=note|For example, [[Draupadi]] is only wed to [[Yudhishthira]], not to all the Pandava brothers; this might demonstrate ancient Javanese opposition to [[polyandry]]. {{citation needed|date=March 2016}} The author later added some female characters to be wed to the Pandavas, for example, Arjuna is described as having many wives and consorts next to [[Subhadra]]. Another difference is that [[Shikhandi]]ni does not change her sex and remains a woman, to be wed to [[Arjuna]], and takes the role of a warrior princess during the war. {{citation needed|date=March 2016}} Another twist is that [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] is described as an antagonistic character who hates the Pandavas: her hate is out of jealousy because, during Gandhari's [[swayamvara]], she was in love with Pandu but was later wed to his blind elder brother instead, whom she did not love, so she blindfolded herself as a protest.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}}} Another notable difference is the inclusion of the [[Punakawan]]s, the clown servants of the main figures in the storyline. These [[Semar]], [[Petruk]], Gareng, and Bagong, who are much-loved by Indonesian audiences. {{citation needed|date=March 2016}} There are also some spin-off episodes developed in ancient Java, such as [[Arjunawiwaha]] composed in the 11th century.

A [[Kawi language|Kawi]] version of the ''Mahabharata'', of which eight of the eighteen ''parvas'' survive, is found on the Indonesian island of [[Bali]]. It has been translated into English by Dr. [[I. Gusti Putu Phalgunadi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abebooks.com/first-edition/Indonesian-Ramayana-Uttarakanda-Gusti-Putu-Phalgunadi/3848278350/bd|title=Indonesian Ramayana: The Uttarakanda by Dr. I Gusti Putu Phalgunadi: Sundeep Prakashan, New Delhi 9788175740532 Hardcover, First edition.|website=abebooks.com|access-date=2018-11-27|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804000559/https://www.abebooks.com/first-edition/Indonesian-Ramayana-Uttarakanda-Gusti-Putu-Phalgunadi/3848278350/bd|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Derivative literature ===
[[Bhasa]], the 2nd- or 3rd-century CE Sanskrit playwright, wrote two plays on episodes in the ''Marabharata'', ''[[Urubhanga]]'' (''Broken Thigh''), about the fight between [[Duryodhana]] and [[Bhima]], while ''[[Madhyamavyayoga]]'' (''The Middle One'') set around [[Bhima]] and his son, Ghatotkacha. The first important play of 20th century was ''[[Andha Yug]]'' (''The Blind Epoch''), by [[Dharamvir Bharati]], which came in 1955, found in ''Mahabharat'', both an ideal source and expression of modern predicaments and discontent. Starting with [[Ebrahim Alkazi]], it was staged by numerous directors. [[V. S. Khandekar]]'s Marathi novel, ''Yayati'' (1960), and [[Girish Karnad]]'s debut play ''Yayati'' (1961) are based on the story of King [[Yayati]] found in the ''Mahabharat''.<ref>{{cite book|title=The World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre: Asia|author=Don Rubin|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=1998|isbn=978-0-415-05933-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-MUiXjMUl34C&pg=PA219|page=195|ref=Ru|access-date=30 May 2020|archive-date=7 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907124734/https://books.google.com/books?id=-MUiXjMUl34C&pg=PA219|url-status=live}}</ref> Bengali writer and playwright, [[Buddhadeva Bose]] wrote three plays set in Mahabharat, ''Anamni Angana'', ''Pratham Partha'' and ''Kalsandhya''.<ref>[http://www.boloji.com/hinduism/084.htm The Mahabharata as Theatre] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114220734/http://boloji.com/hinduism/084.htm |date=14 January 2010 }} by Pradip Bhattacharya, 13 June 2004.</ref> [[Pratibha Ray]] wrote an [[Moortidevi Award|award]] winning novel entitled [[Yajnaseni (novel)|Yajnaseni]] from [[Draupadi]]'s perspective in 1984. Later, [[Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni]] wrote a similar novel entitled ''[[The Palace of Illusions: A Novel]]'' in 2008. Gujarati poet [[Chinu Modi]] has written long narrative poetry ''[[Bahuk]]'' based on the figure [[Bahuka (Nala)|Bahuka]].<ref name="bk">{{cite encyclopedia |last=Topiwala |first=Chandrakant |encyclopedia=Gujarati Sahityakosh (Encyclopedia of Gujarati Literature) |title=Bahuk |language= gu |year=1990 |publisher= [[Gujarati Sahitya Parishad]] |volume=2 |location=Ahmedabad |pages=394 }}</ref> [[Krishna Udayasankar]], a Singapore-based Indian author, has written several novels which are modern-day retellings of the epic, most notably the Aryavarta Chronicles Series. [[Suman Pokhrel]] wrote a [[Yajnaseni (play)|solo play]] based on [[Yajnaseni (novel)|Ray's novel]] by personalizing and taking [[Draupadi]] alone in the scene.

[[Amar Chitra Katha]] published a 1,260-page [[Mahabharata (comics)|comic book version of the ''Mahabharata'']].<ref name="Amar Chitra Katha Mahabharata">{{cite book | title=Amar Chitra Katha Mahabharata | publisher=Amar Chitra Katha | author=Pai, Anant | year=1998 | location=Mumbai | page=1200 | isbn=978-81-905990-4-7 | editor=Pai, Anant | others=Kadam, Dilip (illus.)}}</ref>

=== In film and television ===
[[File:FullPagadeYakshagana.jpg|right|thumb|Krishna as portrayed in [[Yakshagana]] from [[Karnataka]] which is based largely on stories of ''Mahabharata'']]

In [[Cinema of India|Indian cinema]], several film versions of the epic have been made, dating back to 1920. The ''Mahābhārata'' was also reinterpreted by [[Shyam Benegal]] in ''[[Kalyug (1980 film)|Kalyug]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2003/01/17/stories/2003011700990100.htm |title=What makes Shyam special |publisher=Hinduonnet.com |date=17 January 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112210119/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2003/01/17/stories/2003011700990100.htm |archive-date=12 January 2011 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> [[Prakash Jha]] directed 2010 film [[Raajneeti]] was partially inspired by the ''Mahabharata''.<ref name="Raajneeti Controversy">{{cite news |title=Fact of the matter |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/article439799.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |date=27 May 2010 |author=Kumar, Anuj |access-date=11 August 2013 |archive-date=30 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330142142/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/article439799.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> A [[Mahabharat (2013 film)|2013 animated adaptation]] holds the record for India's most expensive animated film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/mahabharat-theatrical-trailer-animated-film-112591.html|title=Mahabharat: Theatrical Trailer (Animated Film)|date=19 November 2013|access-date=16 December 2013|archive-date=17 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217000203/http://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/mahabharat-theatrical-trailer-animated-film-112591.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1988, [[B. R. Chopra]] created a television series named ''[[Mahabharat (1988 TV series)|Mahabharat]].'' It was directed by [[Ravi Chopra]],<ref name="TV">{{IMDb title|qid=Q3312543|title=Mahabharat}} (1988–1990 TV series)</ref> and was televised on India's national television ([[Doordarshan]]). The same year as ''Mahabharat'' was being shown on Doordarshan, that same company's other television show, ''[[Bharat Ek Khoj]]'', also directed by Shyam Benegal, showed a 2-episode abbreviation of the ''Mahabharata'', drawing from various interpretations of the work, be they sung, danced, or staged. In the [[Western world]], a well-known presentation of the epic is [[Peter Brook]]'s nine-hour play, which premiered in [[Avignon]] in 1985, and its five-hour movie version [[The Mahabharata (1989 film)|''The Mahābhārata'']].<ref>{{IMDb title|qid=Q2917578|title=The Mahabharata}} (1989 mini-series).</ref> In the late 2013 ''[[Mahabharat (2013 TV series)|Mahabharat]]'' was televised on STAR Plus. It was produced by Swastik Productions Pvt.

A [[Zee TV]] television series aired from 26 October 2001 to 26 July 2002 and starred Siraj Mustafa Khan as [[Krishna]] and Suneel Mattoo as [[Yudhishthira]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.exchange4media.com/international-news/zee-tv-to-launch-two-mythological-serials-4627.html|title=Zee TV to launch two mythological serials|date=2001-12-25|website=Exchange4Media Dot Com|language=en|access-date=2022-06-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020113/spectrum/tv.htm|title=Good Lord!|date=2002-01-13|website=Tribune India Dot Com|language=en|access-date=2022-07-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/sanjay-khan-excited-about-maha-kavya-mahabharat/articleshow/1632627753.cms|title=Sanjay Khan excited about Maha Kavya Mahabharat|date=2001-10-21|website=Times Of India Dot Com|language=en|access-date=2022-07-02}}</ref>

Uncompleted projects on the ''Mahābhārata'' include one by [[Rajkumar Santoshi]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/feb/24/news1|title=In brief: Mahabharat will be most expensive Indian movie ever|newspaper=The Guardian|date=24 February 2003|via=www.theguardian.com|access-date=12 December 2016|archive-date=26 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326140711/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/feb/24/news1|url-status=live}}</ref> and a theatrical adaptation planned by [[Satyajit Ray]].<ref>{{cite web|title=IndiaStar book review: Satyajit Ray by Surabhi Banerjee |author=C. J. Wallia |year=1996 |url=http://www.indiastar.com/satyajitray.html |access-date=31 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514050120/http://www.indiastar.com/satyajitray.html |archive-date=14 May 2008 }}</ref>

===In folk culture===
Every year in the [[Garhwal division|Garhwal region]] of [[Uttarakhand]], villagers perform the ''[[Pandav Lila]]'', a ritual re-enactment of episodes from the ''Mahabharata'' through dancing, singing, and recitation. The ''lila'' is a cultural highlight of the year and is usually performed between November and February. Folk instruments of the region, [[dhol]], [[damau]] and two long trumpets [[bhankore]], accompany the action. The amateur actors often break into a spontaneous dance when they are "possessed" by the spirits of the figures of the ''Mahabharata''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sax |first=William Sturman |date=2002 |title=Dancing the Self: Personhood and Performance in the Pāṇḍava Līlā of Garhwal |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn= 9780195139150}}</ref>

=== Jain version ===
{{Further|Salakapurusa}}
[[File: Neminath Wedding.JPG|thumb|Depiction of wedding procession of Neminatha. The enclosure shows the animals that are to be slaughtered for food for weddings. Overcome with Compassion for animals, Neminatha refused to marry and renounced his kingdom to become a Shramana]]

[[Jainism|Jain]] versions of ''Mahābhārata'' can be found in the various [[Jain texts]] like ''[[Harivamsapurana]]'' (the story of [[Harivamsa]]) ''Trisastisalakapurusa Caritra'' (Hagiography of 63 Illustrious persons), ''Pandavacharitra'' (lives of [[Pandava]]s) and ''Pandavapurana'' (stories of [[Pandava]]s).<ref>{{Cite book| last =Jaini | first =Padmanabh | title =Collected Papers on Jaina Studies | publisher =Motilal Banarsidass Publ. | year =2000 | location =Delhi | isbn =978-81-208-1691-6 }} p. 351-52</ref> From the earlier canonical literature, ''Antakrddaaśāh'' (8th cannon) and ''Vrisnidasa'' (''upangagama'' or secondary canon) contain the stories of [[Neminatha]] (22nd [[Tirthankara]]), Krishna and Balarama.<ref>{{Cite book| last =Shah | first =Natubhai | title =Jainism: The World of Conquerors | publisher =Sussex Academy Press | year =1998 | location =Sussex | series =Volume I and II | isbn =978-1-898723-30-1 }}  vol 1 pp. 14–15</ref> Prof. [[Padmanabh Jaini]] notes that, unlike in the Hindu Puranas, the names Baladeva and Vasudeva are not restricted to Balarama and Krishna in Jain Puranas. Instead, they serve as names of two distinct classes of mighty brothers, who appear nine times in each half of time cycles of the [[Jain cosmology]] and rule half the earth as half-chakravartins. Jaini traces the origin of this list of brothers to the Jinacharitra by [[Bhadrabahu]] swami (4th–3rd century BCE).<ref>{{Cite book| last =Jaini | first =Padmanabh | title =Collected Papers on Jaina Studies | publisher =Motilal Banarsidass Publ. | year =2000 | location =Delhi | isbn =978-81-208-1691-6 }} p. 377</ref> According to [[Jain cosmology]] Balarama, Krishna and Jarasandha are the ninth and the last set of Baladeva, Vasudeva, and Prativasudeva.<ref name="Jaini 1998">{{Cite book| last =Jaini | first =Padmanabh | title =The Jaina Path of Purification | publisher =Motilal Banarsidass | year =1998 | location =New Delhi | isbn =978-81-208-1578-0 }} p.305</ref> The main battle is not the Mahabharata, but the fight between Krishna and Jarasandha (who is killed by Krishna as Prativasudevas are killed by Vasudevas). Ultimately, the Pandavas and Balarama take renunciation as [[Jain monk]]s and are reborn in heavens, while on the other hand Krishna and Jarasandha are reborn in hell.<ref>{{Cite book| last =Jaini | first =Padmanabh | title =Collected Papers on Jaina Studies | publisher =Motilal Banarsidass Publ. | year =2000 | location =Delhi | isbn =978-81-208-1691-6 }} p. 351</ref> In keeping with the [[Karma in Jainism|law of karma]], Krishna is reborn in hell for his exploits (sexual and violent) while Jarasandha for his evil ways. Prof. Jaini admits a possibility that perhaps because of his popularity, the Jain authors were keen to rehabilitate Krishna. The Jain texts predict that after his karmic term in the hell is over sometime during the next half time-cycle, Krishna will be reborn as a Jain [[Tirthankara]] and attain [[Moksa (Jainism)|liberation]].<ref name=" Jaini 1998" /> Krishna and Balrama are shown as contemporaries and cousins of 22nd Tirthankara, Neminatha.<ref>{{Cite book| last =Roy | first =Ashim Kumar | title =A history of the Jainas | publisher =Gitanjali Pub. House | year =1984 | location =New Delhi | isbn =978-0-8364-1136-2 | oclc =11604851 | page=20}}</ref> According to this story, Krishna arranged young Neminath's marriage with Rajemati, the daughter of Ugrasena, but Neminatha, empathizing with the animals which were to be slaughtered for the marriage feast, left the procession suddenly and renounced the world.<ref>{{Cite book| last =Helen | first =Johnson | editor =Muni Samvegayashvijay Maharaj|title =Trisastiśalākāpurusacaritra of Hemacandra: The Jain Saga| orig-year=1931 | publisher =Oriental Institute| year =2009 | location =Baroda | language =en|isbn =978-81-908157-0-3|volume=Part II}} refer story of Neminatha</ref><ref name="Devdutt 2017">{{cite web | title=How different are the Jain Ramayana and Jain Mahabharata from Hindu narrations? | author=Devdutt Pattanaik | website=Devdutt | date=2 March 2017 | url=http://devdutt.com/articles/indian-mythology/mahabharata/differentnarrations.html | access-date=22 March 2017 | author-link=Devdutt Pattanaik | archive-date=7 March 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307111548/http://devdutt.com/articles/indian-mythology/mahabharata/differentnarrations.html | url-status=live }}</ref>