Devdutt Pattanaik is a popular Indian mythologist, speaker, illustrator and author. His writings are mainly about myths, religion, mythology, and management.
Wiki/Biography
Devdutt was born on Friday, 11 December 1970 (age 50 years; as in 2020) in Mumbai. He spent his childhood in Chembur, Mumbai. His zodiac sign is Sagittarius.
Childhood photos of Devdutt Pattanaik with his mother
Childhood photos of Devdutt Pattanaik with his parents and siblings
From 1975 to 1986, he studied at Our Lady of Perpetual Succor High School in Chembur, Mumbai. He continued his schooling at Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai, from 1986 to 1988. He graduated in medicine from Grant Medical College, Mumbai, from 1988 to 1993. He pursued a post-graduation diploma in Comparative Mythology at the Department of Sanskrit, Mumbai University. . When he was in the 10th grade, he looked up the word homosexual in the dictionary, and that’s when he realized that what homosexual means is what he really is. Speaking about such incidents in an interview, he said,
I was in 10th standard when I saw the movie Jewel on the Crown… I heard the word homosexual.. and I looked for the dictionary and knew that was me. It was only when I was 30 and my parents were after me to get married and settle down that I finally told them the truth that I was gay and not getting married.”
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 6″
Eye Color: Black
Hair Color: Salt & Pepper (dyed black)
Family & Caste
Devdutt was born in an Odiya family of the Karana caste. The Karana caste is known as Karanam in Andhra Pradesh, Kayastha in the Gangetic plains and Bengal, and as Prabhu in Maharashtra.
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Prafulla Kumar Pattanaik, and his mother’s name is Sabitri Pattanaik Das. Devdutt was born after his two younger sisters, Seema Pattanaik and Sami Pattanaik. He was born after an eight-year gap with his second sister.
Devdutt Pattanaik with his sisters
Career
In the mid-90s, Indian magazine editor Randhir Khare noticed his writing and storytelling skills. Khare encouraged Devdutt to write articles for newspapers and magazines, and later, introduced Devdutt to his friend Arun Mehta who encouraged Devdutt to write his first book. In 1997, Devdutt wrote his first book ‘Shiva An Introduction.’
Devdutt Pattanaik’s first book- Shiva An Introduction
He has also worked as a freelance writer and illustrator in many well-known magazines and newspapers.
Devdutt Pattanaik’s article in newspaper
Devdutt has also worked as a part-time editor for health magazines such as ‘Doktor Saya.’ He has also assisted behavioral scientist, Dr Giri Shankar. In February 1998, he started working at ‘Good Health N You’ in Mumbai. In 2000, he joined ‘Apollo Health Street Ltd’ in Hyderabad. He later worked at various companies such as Sanofi, EY, and Future Group People Office. In January 2012, he joined Star India as a story consultant for mythological TV series like ‘Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev.’ In January 2014, he joined ‘Reliance Industries Limited’ as a cultural consultant and worked there for almost 5 years. In November 2009, he appeared as a speaker at the first TED conference in India.
Devdutt has authored many popular mythological books such as:
- ‘Hanuman: An Introduction. Vakils, Feffer and Simons Ltd., 2001’
- ‘Myth=Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology. Penguin Books India, 2006’
- ‘7 Secrets of Shiva. Westland Ltd., 2011’
- ‘Ramayana Versus Mahabharata: My Favorite Comparison. Rupa Publications India, 2018’
- ‘Dharma Artha Kama Moksha: 40 Insights on Happiness – Harper Collins, India, 2021’
Apart from mythology books, he has also written various books on management, fiction, and children. Some of his books on management are:
- ‘Business Sutra: ‘A Very Indian Approach to Management. Aleph Book Company, 2013’
- ‘Sutras of Leadership: India’s Approach to Power. Aleph Book Company, 2016’
- ‘Leaders: 50 Insights from Mythology. HarperCollins India, Indus Resources 2017’
Devdutt Pattanaik displays his books
His other popular books are:
- ‘The Pregnant King. Penguin Books India, 2008’
- ‘Is He Fresh?: Aka Kaula Hi? (Penguin Petit). Penguin UK, 2015’
- ‘Fun in Devlok: Shiva Plays Stupid Remonstrance. Puffin India, 2011’
- ‘The Boys Who Fight: The Mahabharata for Children. Puffin, 2017’
- ‘Vahana: The Gods and Their Favorite Animals – Rupa Publications India, 2020’
Devdutt has appeared in various TV series such as ‘Business Sutra’ (2010) on CNBC-TV18 and ‘Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik’ (2017) on Epic TV.
In 2020, he lent his voice for audio books like ‘Suno Mahabharat Devdutt Pattanaik Ke Saath’ and ‘Revisiting the Mahabharata with Devdutt Pattanaik.’ Devdutt has also incorporated the concepts of Mahabharata and Ramayana into human resource management. He has worked as a columnist for many leading newspapers such as Mid-Day, Times of India, CN Traveller, Daily O, and Scroll.in He has hosted a podcast radio show ‘The Devdutt Pattanaik Show’ which aired on Radio Mirchi.
Controversy
His controversial tweets are always the talk of the town. He has received heavy criticism from netizens for tweeting abusive and hurtful Tweets. Some of those tweets are
Chup Chudail, jalti kyon hai? Limbu Mirchi Band Hua Kya?”
Devdutt Pattanaik’s controversial tweet
Tweet Devdutt Pattanaik
Awards & Honors
- In 2014, his name was listed among the top category of bestselling Indian authors.
- His book ‘Devlok’ was one of the best selling books of 2016.
- In the same year, his name was listed in the list of Forbes Top 100 Celebrities in India.
Signature
Signature of Devdutt Pattanaik
Facts/Trivia
- While in school, he was introduced to the stories of the Ramayana. During the interview, reminiscing about his school days, he shared some memories, he said,
I remember collecting pigeon feathers to help my teacher prepare Jatayu’s wings. I remember watching Lakshmana struggle to mark three visible lines on the well-polished gray stone floor using precious white chalk, which the teacher used instead on the blackboard. I remember laughing when Ravana picked up Sita, and yelling with everyone else since Sita was a boy dressed as a girl.”
- He passed the Union Public Service Commission Examination after his graduation, but due to lack of interest, he refused to take up the assignment.
- While he was in college, he wrote his first mythology column in his college magazine.
- The illustrations presented in his book were drawn by Devdutt alone. (excluding Devlok series).
- After graduation, he wanted to continue his studies at an American or European university, but due to family constraints, he was unable to do so.
- In 2000, he wrote an essay ‘Homosexuality in Ancient India,’ and he received great appreciation from the homosexual community.
- Devdutt Pattanaik follows a non-vegetarian diet.
- He has also appeared as a motivational speaker in various events and seminars.
Devdutt Pattanaik in a conference
- He has supported the LGBTQ community even before Section 377 was decriminalized in India on September 6, 2018. Talking about Section 377, in one of his social media posts, he said,
I think for many people it will be life as usual. But for many, it will be acceptance at the state level. And you can talk to your family. Companies hope to change their laws. You can come out openly as gay. And you won’t get into a forced marriage where you ruin not just one life, but the lives of two. You know imagine gay people marrying non-gay people. That’s not right. It ruins the lives of young people.”
- Many famous authors like Ashwin Sanghi and Neil Gaiman have praised his work.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
