Asura: Tale of the Vanquished by Anand Neelakantan

My Rating - 1 out of 5 stars

Publisher - Leadstart 
Genre - Mythological Fiction
Publishing year - 2012
Language - English
ISBN - 978-93-81576-05-2
Pages - 504

Book Review - 

Asura: Tale of the Vanquished, The Story of Ravana and His People by Anand Neelakantan is a book that I found profoundly disappointing and troubling. Despite investing significant time into reading this massive novel, it failed to meet even the most basic expectations. I am compelled to write this review to alert potential readers about its misleading nature, particularly for those unfamiliar with the Ramayana or its incidents.

From the outset, it becomes apparent that the author has taken a distorted approach to retelling the story, which is deceptive at best. While the idea of giving voice to the victims and challenging the historical bias of "history is written by the victors" seemed intriguing, the execution falls flat. The book's simplistic narrative lacks imagination, misrepresents critical aspects of the original epic, and disregards the philosophical depth it possesses.

The author's overt Dravidian fanaticism is evident throughout the book as he attempts to fuel the North-South divide and exploit caste divisions. The vitriolic language and pervasive hatred permeating the pages make it clear that the author's agenda is to incite animosity and sow seeds of division. This kind of divisive rhetoric serves no purpose other than to exacerbate existing tensions and deepen societal rifts.

The novel's central themes revolve around the demonization of North Indians and the assertion that the Asuras were the original rulers of India before being overthrown by uncivilized Aryan invaders. These notions are historically unfounded and politically motivated, designed to twist facts to fit a specific narrative. Anand Neelakantan's inventions lack justification and fail to align with established historical knowledge.

The author's portrayal of Ravana as an ambitious hero striving to restore the glory of the Asuras by saving Sita Ravana's daughter, which is a fact mentioned in Sanghadasa's Jain version of Ramayana and also in Adbhuta Ramayana, but the problem is Neelakantan's attempt to rationalize Ravana's abduction of Sita as a noble act to protect her from the mistreatment of Aryan society is questionable at best. It serves to undermine the principles of equality the book claims to champion. 

In one incident, it was mentioned that Mandodri, the wife of Ravana, was raped by monkey people. The mention of this incident was found in Krittivasi Ramayana, and I got to know about this for the very first time. These incidents undermine the original conflict between Rama and Ravana of good and evil, and the more you learn, the more you question whom to believe. There are many versions of truth in the present, so I am trying to keep my opinions related to this particular book and how it made me feel.

Furthermore, the book persistently perpetuates stereotypes and fuels regional and cultural biases. It plays on divisive sentiments, worsening the already simmering tensions between North and South India. Such narratives, like the ones presented in this book, only deepen the mutual alienation and animosity between different regions and communities, which can have dire consequences in a diverse and densely populated country like India.

Instead of offering a fresh perspective or shedding new light on the story, the author's interpretation only manages to distort the rich mythology and cultural heritage of the Ramayana. The writing style also leaves much to be desired. The prose is uninspiring and fails to capture my attention or evoke any emotional response. 

The plot meanders aimlessly, lacking a clear direction and often feeling disjointed. Characters' development is virtually nonexistent, leaving readers with a superficial understanding of the individuals portrayed within the story. Even the portrayal of Ravana is one-dimensional, devoid of intricacy and relatability.

In conclusion, I strongly advise against picking up this book if you seek a captivating and well-crafted retelling of the Ramayana. Its tricky nature and failure to provide a coherent narrative make it a frustrating and disappointing read. Save your time and seek more engaging interpretations of this timeless epic elsewhere.

But if you still want to read or check out this book, then you can find it here - Amazon IN Amazon US