32. Review of “Ramayana vs Mahabharata – My Playful Comparison” – Devdutt Pattanaik

Review of “Ramayana vs Mahabharata – My Playful Comparison” – Devdutt Pattanaik

The depiction of God Vishnu as a king (Ram) and another as a kingmaker (Krishna) are beautifully compared and compiled by Devdutt Pattanaik. While the comparison basically involves the similarities and a few dissimilarities between the two epics, it also ponders over the cause and effect relationship of on Ramayana on Mahabharata. Although, both these sagas took place more than 2000 years apart, the comparison still manages to preserve the connection ascribed the avatars of the same Vedic gods and subordinate characters.

The book discusses about a lot of things that are common to both the ballads especially considering the narration, family, rupture, exile, war, aftermath, retelling and wisdom. Attention is given to the status of parents, children, woman, transgender, rishi and rakshasa in the society in both cases. It talks about dharma and karma as the basis of all happenings. It clarifies on the Matsya nyaya or fish justice or law of the jungle as opposed to the dharma prescribed to be followed by all civilized folk. The book also lays emphasis on the many adaptive forms of both these epics all across India and beyond, comparing aspects of these with the other major religions of the world like Buddhism, Jainism and Greek mythology. It also clarifies the time-line of inclusion of certain events and their meaning in both the stories.

Devdutt Pattanaik does with this volume what is popular for, i.e. demystifying the exact meaning of events and occurrences and their probability of being a reality or myth. The illustrations being a constant feature in other books by the author are equally alluring. The research done in collecting information about various adaptations of these two epics from various parts of India and their interpretation and association with what are assumed to be the originals is arduous and noteworthy.

My take: If you liked My Gita, you must pick up this one, for the sheer pleasure of gaining more knowledge.

Book Courtesy: Vivek Tejuja (Flipkart)

31. Review of "Into the Great Heart" - Kamla K. Kapur

Review of “Into the Great Heart” – Kamla K. Kapur

When the people were undecided as to what to follow and how to be united with God, the religion was given a new meaning by the proponent of Sikhism, Guru Nanak. He preached the people to love and live in the light of God and be the God as well as his follower themselves. He promoted ‘word’ as the lord and that one true power was the essence of all things living and divine. His first words ‘Ek Onkar’ laid emphases on this very fact.

This volume by Kamla K. Kapur delves deeper into the life and endeavors of Guru Nanak. Through the words of his beloved companion and musician Mardana in the first part of the books and by using the voice of Bebe Nanki, Guru Nanak’s sister who raised him as her own son but was in fact his first and foremost disciple. The book also introduces Bhai Lehna, who later would go on to become the second Sikh Guru by the name of Guru Angad, the dancing Guru as the author so lovingly puts. This volume covers the latter half of the live of Guru Nanak and what makes him choose his disciple Lehna as his heir instead of his two sons.

It is stressed that everything happens according to the will of the Akal Purakh, the timeless being, and by his/her will he/she bestows the earthly beings with the power to think and take actions. The word of the Akal Purakh is the hukum. The author sums the whole life story of Guru Nanak into these words:

“Burn worldly knowledge, grind its ashes into ink, make your intellect the paper, divine love your pen, then write, writer, what the Guru, the Arch Writer, writes through you.”

My take: Also read the first book by the author in this series to comprehend the meaning in the life of Guru Nanak.

Book Courtesy: WritersMelon

30. Review of “Chanakya” – Ashok K. Banker

Review of “Chanakya” – Ashok K. Banker

Chanakya as we all know was a great economist and the pioneer of Chanakya Neeti. But, what was he like as a kid? This book, the first in a trilogy, tells the story of a seven year old, who is exceptionally intelligent and who sometime in his life would go on to become the Guru of the founder of the Mauryan Empire.

Vishnu Gupta is just an average seven year old, who is blessed with photographic memory and immense intellect. He is brainier than his own Guru and challenges even the brightest minds he meets. Vishnu, along with his parents and sisters goes to Nanda Empire to attend a conclave of the most learned minds in the region. Bound to attend and bored in the children’s conclave, he intends to attend the conclave of the more scholarly ones. One day, he gets his chance. While in the conference of the Gurus, he speaks up and challenges the ideology of one of the Guru. Although admonished by the Gurus on the panel, he caches the eye of Maha Amatya, better known as Rakshasa, the Prime Minister of the king Mahapadma Nanda. Rakshasa, the ruthless, with the devious mind, deceitfully advises the king and tortures the common folk. Now, the Rakshasa has his eyes on acquiring Vishnu’s young genius for himself and devises and evil plan to keep him there.

The book provides a very refreshing take towards the well-known story of Chanakya, what made him interested in the politics and economics of the time. The story is an easy read and it is enticing to read about the clever antics of young Chanakya. The book ends at a cliff-hanger leaving the readers craving and eagerly awaiting the next one in the series.

My take: Grab this one and keep a look out for Book 2 and 3 in this series.

Book Courtesy: Westland and WritersMelon

29. Review of "The Assassinations: A Novel of 1984" - Vikram Kapur

Review of “The Assassinations: A Novel of 1984” - Vikram Kapur

There have been plenty of novels set in the backdrop of war and violence. What makes this one distinct is the fact that it is not merely a love story centered on the boy and the girl. It takes the spotlight around to each member of their respective families, their inner turmoil and their coping mechanisms. At first, it is like any other love story, boy meets girl, they fall in love, etc. But later, when the tragedy strikes their city, each character portrays themselves as different people.

The story starts with stolen glances between Prem and Deepa, followed by uncertain parents leading to an engagement with both parties going home with smiles. The growing insurgency in Punjab was followed by the Operation Blue Star in 1984. Suddenly, Deepa became a Hindu and Prem a Sikh. But, love conquers the religious divide and their relationship remains intact. As the political and religious scenarios overlap, Prem sees his religion in a new light and struggles to find his true identity in the chaos. The final straw being the assassination of the then PM, Prem gets wrapped in the web of the protesters of Anti-Sikh riots and takes an unforeseen step towards the end.

The writing and language is simple and easy to grasp. The author depicts the tragedies which befell on the Sikhs in Anti-Sikh riots with the graphic scenes that are moving. The story does not offer any major twists and turn which usually are the thriving points of romantic tragedies, but the narration is smooth and compliments the complexity main storyline making it stand apart in the crowd of fiction. In all, the book is commendable and a recommended read for all.

Book courtesy: WritersMelon

28. Review of “Hell! No Saints in Paradise” – A.K. Asif

Review of “Hell! No Saints in Paradise” – A.K. Asif

This is probably the most fictitious fiction I’ve ever read. Wonderfully thought and filled with exacting details, it is like a twisted take on Alice in wonderland where one goes for a slice of heaven until all the hell breaks loose; literally as well as figuratively.

The protagonist Ismael, a research student in the US is researching on the existence of heaven and hell. This takes him on an unbelievable dimensionless journey across space and time when one day under the influence of a psychedelic he is shown the path towards the discovery of heaven and hell. This journey makes him come back to his disoriented motherland to rekindle his relationship with his estranged father who holds an eminent position in the Caliphate. However, he has been given a task by non-humans Pir Pul Siraat and Chacha Kidr to sabotage the Khalifa’s undisclosed plans to cause a major upheaval in the world.

The story is a complex web of interwoven realities where fact and fiction do not have any boundaries. The language is crisp and the storyline is fluid with a dreamlike quality to it. Each scene is described to the best and lets the words take form in your mind. It is also a good read if you want to let your mind wander off to different places like hell or heaven.

My take: Hell! Go read this one now.

Book Courtesy: Writersmelon

27. Review of “The Nine Chambered Heart” – Janice Pariat

Review of “The Nine Chambered Heart” – Janice Pariat

The Nine Chambered Heart is the character sketch of a young lady as seen by the eyes of nine people who love her in their own way. It is the journey of a woman who meets nameless characters in different circumstances and shares a bond of love with them; maybe for a day, a month or a year; as one relationship ends to pave path for the next one. The narrators vary with different chapters as each of them tells her story. There is a butcher, a professor, a sailor etc. but not by profession. The story of each narrator is an ode to her, making her the centerpiece of their existence for the time she is with them. Some are sweet, some romantic and some lusty. The nine chambers of the heart differ in their shape and functionality in her life.

The writing is fluid and so is the story. The language along with the intensity of feelings changes with the change in the narration. The best thing about the book is the way it is chapterized; how every chapter gets its name based on each of the narrator. And of course the title, it depicts that each loved one gets a place in her heart.

PS: Exquisite book cover.

Book Courtesy: Vivek Tejuja (Flipkart)