This is something entirely different from what we have read, heard and seen so far based on epic mythology Ramayana. ASURA by Anand Neelakantan is a story of Ravana from Ravana’s perspective. Everything is seen from the angle of Ravana and not Ram. This 500 odd pages excellently and engrossing fiction based on epic characters and titled as
ASURA Tale Of The Vanquished: The Story of Ravana and His People. It used to be really painful to leave in between this tightly woven story for a day to day chores and then steal out some more time to get back into it.
The story of ASURA by Anand Neelakantan goes in bi-narrative style in parallel chapters – total 65. It is by turn Ravana and Bhadra narrating the events happening. Anand Neelakantan must have done a lot of homework and research before writing ASURA Tale Of The Vanquished: The Story of Ravana and His People. Like research on Ravana, his kingdom – Lanka, his brothers – Kumbhakaran and Vibhishan, his son Meghnad (or Indrajit), his half brother Kubera, his sister Surupnakha, his wife Mandodari; his life, his thoughts, his childhood. Everything about Ravana is prominent in this interesting book. It might have a lot of fiction embedded into it. But everything that happened in Ravana’s life has been shown, depicted and presented from Ravana’s angle. A lot is learned about Asuras, their life pattern, their strengths and their weaknesses in this book.
ASURA by Anand Neelakantan
A lot unknown about Devas – Indra, Brahma, Varun and especially Rama is there in this book. In fact, that was unknown so far. All various forms of living beings – Vanaras, Devas, Asuras, Yakshas, and Gandharvas; were part of this earth and had their portions of land to rule upon.
This mammoth marathon read
ASURA by Anand Neelkantan might choke your energy when Ravana is in pain and energize you when Ravana is in gain. All mood swings go along with Ravana’s in this story. There are many secrets shall reveal in the story. Ajinkaya is step brother of Meghnad and is as brave as his father or step brother. Ravana though is away from a normal behavior of Asuras of polygamy, but one day, after fighting with his wife Mandodri rapes a young and beautiful housekeeping staff, who gives birth to Ajinkaya.
Ajinkaya is tall and strong like his father. Bhadra is one of the prominent characters in Ravana’s life. And is a part of most of the important incidents in Ravana’s life. With or without his knowledge or consent. Bhadra is one person who lives under the mastery or Ravana throughout his life just for two goals. One, to take revenge from Devas who kill his wife and daughter. When they attack his village. And two, to serve Ravana by helping him in achieving his targets. So that he would take revenge from Devas for him.
ASURA by Anand Neelakantan
Though Ravana had mixed feelings for Bhadra from time to time and vice versa, but overall Bhadra does a lot for Ravana during his whole life and even after the death of Ravana. Bhadra helps Ravana to acquire Lanka from Kuber. He also helps him to win over many of his enemies. He becomes the stepfather of Ajinkaya.
Ravana has always been a man of principle during his lifetime. With elements of being daring and brave. His mother terms him Rakshasa for the first time. When he hurts her. And then she decides to leave his empire forever. Ravana hates the dubious style of Rama of killing a brave Vanara King Bali. From behind a tree. While engaging him to fight with his brother Sugreeva. Rama and Lakshman are of normal height, dark color young men. Ravana is over two decades older than Rama. Ravana also hates Deva’s custom of leaving their wife. To please their citizens, in case any Asura takes away their wife. Ayodhya is a very small kingdom. And it is in a quite shabby/poor condition if you compare it with huge and rich Lanka kingdom. The story of ASURA by Anand Neelakantan is quite engrossing.
ASURA by Anand Neelakantan
Biggest secret is the relationship between Ravana and Sita. And his purpose of kidnapping her during her exile in jungles with Rama and Lakshman. Ravana also had valid reasons of not killing Ram and Lakshman when he got easy chances to do the same. For all these reasons,
ASURA by Anand Neelkantan becomes an interesting and a self-introspecting read.
The downside in quite insignificant as compared to the significance of this interesting story, excellent presentation, and well-woven script. There are some proofreading and spelling mistakes on pages – 192, 245, 248, 262, 298, 311, 339, 376. And then after that, the story becomes so much engrossing. Then, it compels to ignore those minor errors. Overall, ASURA by Anand Neelakantan is an interesting book for readers who like epic mythology, fiction, and biography.