The mythology- heritage- Point-of-view junkie in me is having a field day. There are so many perspective and narration of the epic MAHABHARATA that it is logical to fail to differentiate; the re-told story and the original. It seems no one cares.
I know it is impossible for anyone to bring out a certified version any more. Maybe the book starts carrying a disclaimer or the new generation will know their Mahabharata from these books. The books and TV programmes are retelling these epics for the new generation. But before someone acts, I hungrily feast on yet another book.
History is always written from the winner’s perspective. JAYA – The Mahabharata is such a story. Ajaya is the tale of vanquished. The Kauravas. And the eldest brother is Suyodhana. Think again and it seems to make sense. Dhuryodhan seems to be name he acquired later. No one will name the son Dhushasan. No it would have to be Sushashan.
Anand Neelakantan seems to be specialising in this area- the vanquished story. He presented a beautiful narration of Ramayana from Ravana’s view point in ‘Asura – The Tale of the Vanquished’- a book I personally like and recommend to read.
I have read Mahabharata from umpteen perspectives, hence it did not bother me that I was reading Part-II before reading Part-I.
RISE OF KALI- It’s the story of so called shameful game of Dice. The pressure on Karna to live to his name. The story of Kunti- who could have helped stopped the war. Shakuni and his revenge for his sister’s marriage to blind Dhrishtraj. Maybe. Draupati untied hair and revenge. Loyalty, Love and gratitude. Dharma and Adharma. Tricks and traps. Bhisma and his conflict simmering under the loyalty he has for the kingdom. Karna, who knows he is doomed with his love, his linage, his deeds and does not waiver when his real identity is revealed to him.
And then there are few unknown and few re-crafted stories that may never match the original. But they are there. The small story of Jara, the beggar with a blind dog. The dog that walked with Yudhister. A story that makes you feels for the beggar. The story of Samba the son of Krishna. The story of Yuyustu and how he managed Kuru clan fortunes. The story king wanting to do everything right. Every one of them made more interesting by making them come alive as the people with emotions.
The respect for Anand Neelkantan has grown many fold post this reading. He seems to have done justice to all the character and more importantly the main elements of the epic. It is how the epic should be, you should be able to feel and see the act happening. The battle, the game of dice, Draupati being stripped of her cloths and anger in her eyes, Shakuni with plans in his eyes and Arjun’s son’s head on a pole while the war is fought.
Go For It. And I move to Part-I in some time.
Rise of Kali – Duryodhana’s Mahabharat (Ajaya Book II) by Anand Neelakantan Paperback, 530 pages Platinum Press Leadstart
