Zamienione głowy ‒ transformacje i sub wersje indyjskiego mitu
Transposed Heads – transformations and subversions of an Indian myth

Summary/Abstract: The author presents an analysis and interpretation of a short story Transposed Heads by Thomas Mann. She also discusses its adaptations: two as films, and one theatrical. The story is a personal version of an ancient Indian legend, which was generously updated by the writer, who decided to go far beyond the original. This “metaphysical joke” became just a pretext to discuss subjects present in his other works, e.g. a predominating motive of a conflict between body and soul. It is very important that the recognition of the legend in the 20th century was thanks to Mann, and not the original story. Both avant-garde film directors and theatre director refer to Mann: Alejandro Jodorovsky in his La cravate (1957), Fernando Birri in ORG (1979), and the director of an Indian play Hayavadana (1970).

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