Asura- Kannada

Anand Neelakantan's novel reverses the usual telling of the Ramayana. It makes the demon king Ravana its central character, as a leader of the asura people who dreams of a united, prosperous kingdom, in opposition to the gods and the Aryan order. A second narrator, Bhadra, is an ordinary man who shows the effects of war and caste on common people. The book follows Ravana's rise and his conflict with Rama.

Readers who enjoy Indian mythological fiction and the idea of hearing the "villain's" side will find a long and lively retelling, which in this version is available to Kannada readers.

Escapist; a moderate read.

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