By Anand Neelakantan
Genre: MythologyOK
The Book Club Rating : 2 Stars
THE MAHABHARATA ENDURES AS THE GREAT EPIC OF INDIA. But while Jaya is the story of the Pandavas, told from the perspective of the victors of Kurukshetra; Ajaya is the narrative of the ‘unconquerable’ Kauravas, who were decimated to the last man. At the heart of India’s most powerful empire, a revolution is brewing. Bhishma, the noble patriarch of Hastinapura, is struggling to maintain the unity of his empire. On the throne sits Dhritarashtra, the blind King, and his foreign-born Queen – Gandhari. In the shadow of the throne stands Kunti, the Dowager-Queen, burning with ambition to see her firstborn become the ruler, acknowledged by all. And in the wings: Parashurama, the enigmatic Guru of the powerful Southern Confederate, bides his time to take over and impose his will from mountains to ocean. Ekalavya, a young Nishada, yearns to break free of caste restrictions and become a warrior. Karna, son of a humble charioteer, travels to the South to study under the foremost Guru of the day and become the greatest archer in the land. Balarama, the charismatic leader of the Yadavas, dreams of building the perfect city by the sea and seeing his people prosperous and proud once more. Takshaka, guerilla leader of the Nagas, foments a revolution by the downtrodden as he lies in wait in the jungles of India, where survival is the only dharma. Jara, the beggar, and his blind dog Dharma, walk the dusty streets of India, witness to people and events far greater than they, as the Pandavas and the Kauravas confront their searing destinies. Amidst the chaos, Prince Suyodhana, heir of Hastinapura, stands tall, determined to claim his birthright and act according to his conscience. He is the maker of his own destiny – or so he believes. While in the corridors of the Hastinapura palace, a foreign Prince plots to destroy India. And the dice falls…
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Let me begin this review by congratulating Anand Neelkantan for attempting to give a voice to those who have been derided as evil, selfish and self-centered for centuries. Ajaya is the story of Duryodhana, the evil crown prince of Mahabharata. All our life we have heard about the atrocities that this prince committed against his own cousin and the great war that he started. With this book, the author has attempted to present the Mahabharata from Duryodhana’s point of view.
The book begins with the destruction of Gandhara and introduction of Shakuni and Gandhari. Bhishma wages a war on their land to get Gandhari as a bride for his blind nephew. Incensed with rage and pain, Shakuni swears vengeance even at a tender age.
And then the story proceeds to introduce Suyodhana (his birth name that got distorted to Duryodhana according to local legends) and his siblings and the indomitable Bheema and his brothers. Shakuni is seen indulging in some plot against the Kurus, while Vidura the wise, tries to warn Bhishma about it.
The book begins with the destruction of Gandhara and introduction of Shakuni and Gandhari. Bhishma wages a war on their land to get Gandhari as a bride for his blind nephew. Incensed with rage and pain, Shakuni swears vengeance even at a tender age.
And then the story proceeds to introduce Suyodhana (his birth name that got distorted to Duryodhana according to local legends) and his siblings and the indomitable Bheema and his brothers. Shakuni is seen indulging in some plot against the Kurus, while Vidura the wise, tries to warn Bhishma about it.
Publisher: Leadstart Publishing Pvt Ltd; First edition (December 11, 2013)
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