• Neeraj Sharma
• Dr. Ruchi Thakar

The concepts of gender and biological sex both play significant roles in determining human behaviour. Unveiling the underlying power structures that actively maintain gender binarism stems from a significant shift in theoretical perspective. Similarly, postmodern feminist and queer theorists question gender as a social construct rather than a natural expression of biological sex. Gender nonconformity disrupts the traditionally constructed gender binary by privileging traditional masculinity and granting it power and privilege associated with gendered behavior. However, the definition of gender transgression varies across cultures and historical periods. The perpetuation of gender binarism and hierarchical power systems is deeply rooted in Western culture. These power structures are embedded in entrenched social norms and government policies. This paper focuses on identifying forms of gender transgression and their ideological implications. Drawing on insights from queer theory and postcolonial studies, this paper emphasizes the importance of a two-pronged theoretical approach. Following recent research that redefines queer discourse, this paper, under the spotlight of postcolonial theory and narratives, argues that re-examining mythological queer fiction can challenge biases in Western queer paradigms. Queer narratives from the South Asian subcontinent highlight the importance of race, class, religion, diaspora, ethnicity, and linguistic structures in the representation of non-binary gender and sexual orientation. Through an in-depth reading of Devdutt Pattanaik's mythological text, *The Pregnant King*, this study circumvents Western models of queer identity, attempting to reposition transformative non-Euro-American contexts and grant queer as a multifaceted critical construct legal standing.

desire, post-colonial, Queer, South Asian mythology, gender contravention

"Motherhood and Desire: A Postcolonial Literary Interpretation of Devdutt Pattanaik's Works", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 11, page no.a553-a561, November-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2511065.pdf

"Motherhood and Desire: A Postcolonial Literary Interpretation of Devdutt Pattanaik's Works", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 11, page no. ppa553-a561, November-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2511065.pdf