Vanara- The legend of Baali, Sugreeva and Tara by Anand Neelakantan

At the outset I thank Anand Neelakantan for gifting me an autographed book and special thanks to Aparna for visiting me in person and passing on this gift. May Lord Rama bless this couple and their family with lots of happiness and prosperity.

Having said this, I first want to congratulate the artist Mihir Joglekar for a beautiful and apt cover page. The color scheme is absolutely appropriate capturing the eyes of the reader to pick this book.

An engineering graduate transforming into a mythological writer is phenomenal. Reading this book I understand that Anand has lived these characters in his mind thoroughly before penning this fiction. Reading epic is one thing, understanding and retelling it so that even a layman understand is a creative genius. Anand has told the story so wonderfully that we tend to question or doubt whether the “points of view“ told  are true or false. Our minds are so conditioned to believe that Sugreev is good / right and Bali is bad or wrong. Tara has been beautifully glorified and her grace in handling every situation is etched impressively. This is a love triangle fiction filled with suspense igniting more curiosity in the minds of the reader. This book offers counter perspective to the sibling relationship between Bali and Sugreev. With lots of sadness in my mind I had to accept the argument of Anand in these relationships.

 “Desire“ is predominant in any relationships even between siblings. I was reminded of this quote by Friedrich Nietzsche while reading this book,”Ultimately, it is the desire, not the desired, that we love.”

This is a mythological fiction blending love, respect, ambition, jealousy and deception sensationally in its story line. Vanara portrays the complexities of human relations. This is a story filled with emotions. In fact the narration of killing Bali brought tears in my eyes. Did he have to die? The question still lingers in my mind. Is this what we call destiny or fate?

The powerful message from this fiction is if you want to destroy a person emotionally and then physically, just start a malicious rumor against that person. The personality trait of an individual can be fabricated by gossip and rumors; these are violent measures to annihilate an individual.  This story shows the strength of envy and its play even between siblings.

Anand Neelakantan through this book has shattered my conditioned belief and left innumerable questions in my mind.

I applaud his imaginations and suggest everyone to read this book to understand complex human behaviors even between the closest blood relations.

Ahalya, Draupadi, Sita, Thara, Mandodari thatha,

Panchakanya smaren nithyam maha pathaka nasanam

May these five Kanyas bless this world; wipe away all sins of misunderstanding and fill this world with love sans hatred.