Digital Characters and Artificial Intelligence in the Mahabharata: Reimagining Ancient Narratives through Emerging Technologies

Abstract

The growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has changed storytelling and digital art, offering new ways to express classic narratives. The Mahabharata, one of India's greatest epics, serves as a key source of inspiration for artists and technologists who are exploring AI-driven digital character creation. This paper looks at how AI tools, such as neural rendering, deep learning, and motion capture, are used to recreate and animate mythological characters from the Mahabharata. It examines the creative, ethical, and cultural aspects of this digital transformation and discusses how these technologies impact authenticity and audience engagement. The research concludes that AI not only renews the Mahabharata for modern audiences but also acts as a link between ancient wisdom and future technologies, raising important questions about human creativity, cultural continuity, and moral responsibility.