I am a prime sucker for books based on mythology. Indian great treatise Mahabharata and Ramayana is a rich source of newer fictional stories as they leave much to interpretation.
I enjoy ‘Mythology Without Copyright’ books and have quite a few of them. In my case it becomes easy to be confused about the characters and sequences of events. There are too many Mahabharata moving around in my head.
I think of them as a national heritage. There exist original (or so believed) versions to refer to. And authors have the right to interpret such stories, a thought that I do fail to appreciate. I seriously hate hugely polarised interpretation of incidences and characters, which is must for a book like ‘KARNA’s WIFE- THE OUTCAST QUEEN’ ( KWOQ).
Even as I write this, I have started on ‘AJAYA – Epic of the Kaurava Clan Book II’ waiting in the wings to read. It is a fictional account and none of the imaginary insights and interpretations should be takes as truth.
As the title suggests ‘Karna’s Wife: The Outcast’s Queen’ tells the story of Mahabharata and one of its iconic character Karna. He has been an unsung hero. The whole narration is from the emotive eyes if his second wife Uruvi. Just for records Vyasa Mahabharata does not mention Uruvi.
Uruvi is a princess who falls in love with Karna and decides to marry him, even when she could have married Arjun. The incidence becomes the epicentre and her life status changes. She does get adjusted and accepted in the house of Sutaputra Karna. Her parents accept her decision too but the royal clan does not pardon her for marrying Karna. She is the outcast.
The fight of right and wrong is a continued theme through out the book. Karna blind support to Duryodhan with almost certainty of a war and finally death looms large. This is something that occupies Uruvi’s mind and heart. She does finally resigns to her fate and keep trying to make the best of the situation. There are enough indications of author being influenced by the current situations while chiselling Uruvi’s character. Maybe Uruvi existed and was one the initial representation of empowered woman. She does come across as someone well ahead of her time, not only an outcast but also maybe not fitting into that era social structure and norms.
The author bring alive the enigma called Karna. One of the most virtuous people. A perfect son, father and husband. A true warrior. A true friend. And yet, he walks through traps of circumstances to be part of Chaar Chandals of Kuru Clan. The book beautifully carries the narrative to present how Karna and Uruvi felt, what justifies their act and how they feel.
Many ‘Mythology without Copyright’ books have played with the undercurrent of few unexplained relationships and emotions. Draupati’s love for Karna and her relationship with Krishna. Was Draupati shared among five brothers was a mistake or a calculated move. Why does Kunti not acknowledge Karna when she can acknowledge publically that all her son’s are born out of Niyog and fathered by different gods? It does make a hard case for Kunti not being decisive enough. She in authors view could have stopped the war, if everyone was told of the eldest son- Karna.
This is Kavita Kane debut novel. It is written in the easy to read and follow narration. It keeps fuelling your curiosity with 
its hectic pace, making you want to read the next chapter. It does remind me of the series of books by Narendra Kohli , who introduced on Indian soil the art if epic writing in contemporary prose. I read long time back and the book URMILA- Lakshman’s wife. And Kavita Kane herself has taken her point of view in the book ‘SITA’s SISTER’
If you have a bit of interest in mythology. In case Mahabharata interest you. In case Karna is a character you idolise, envy and respect in the same time. Go ahead and read KARNA’s WIFE.
‘KARNA’s Wife– The Outcast Queen’ by Kavita Kane. Rupa publications. INR 295. Pages 305.
