Title: A Broken Sun
Author: Aditya Iyengar
Publisher: Rupa Publications India
Pages: 208
Price: Rs.266/-
Mythology is an interesting subject for it is the reason why we have a gazillion stories to tell to our future generation. Antediluvian sacred texts like the Mahabharata and Ramayana have always kept us intrigued and entertained. Intrigued, because we marvelled at the scientific approach, war strategies and the political formations in that era and entertained because we have passed these stories of valour from one generation to another.
If you belong to the aforementioned breed then A Broken Sun by Aditya Iyengar is going to be your fiesta partner. The Mahabharata is by far the most read in the world for its varied characters, the mystical stories associated with each of them and the way in which it has been narrated since ages. What makes this book a must read is its way or narration.
This book defies the idea of a holistic approach towards the epic and instead offers you an individual account of the war. By individual we mean, that each character has shared his part of the story and has narrated the war through his or her vision. While for a regular reader the saga is demarcated between Kauravas and Pandavas, however, what sets this book apart is the belletristic colloquialism of each character and the virtual depiction of war through their perspective.
Based on the epic Mahabharata Aditya Iyengar brings to you his second book in the Kurukshetra trilogy with an altogether never seen before fresh perspective on the epic saga. The death of Abhimanyu was one of the turning points of the war and the story begins from there where each character in his way are speculating the after-effects of the gruesome and conniving death of the youngest warrior in history.
Coming to the narration of the book, we witness the confessions of the characters who speak about the good they desired and the misgivings that eventually led to the war. For some, the epic is quite a hard read as also it comes with numerous versions depending upon what interests the reader. However, the scenario in this book is altogether different. The author here maintains the essence of the story and rather gives a holistic approach towards the irrespective of taking any particular side.
As they say, you cannot clap with just one hand is exactly what the author has described in perfection. With bunch of hidden agendas, vengeance and personal interest were common reasons for both the families. Even if you have read the epic saga million times you must definitely read Iyengar’s book for it will change your perception towards the story.
For a first time reader this book comes by as a surprise, thanks to its miniscule anecdotes which are narrated in a subtle, yet dramatic, manner. Keeping unwanted sugar-coated theory at bay, the author here has kept each chapter precise. Reading the epic saga is something which might not interest a large mass taking into consideration the arduous language and lengthy mythological verses.
So, this book comes as a good rescue for people interested in the golden era.
Writing a novel based on a mythological epic is quite a big challenge for one needs to take a lot of aspects into consideration before drafting the story. Iyengar has ensured to maintain the essence of the original epic thereby, presenting his vision in a more matured tone. For some, it is the loss of a beloved one that has triggered the vengeance, some are going out of their way to help from letting the family fall apart, while some are visualizing the consequences of the war and some are striving hard to bring the war to an end.
The author has ensured to offer a comprehensive scenario compelling the reader to delve into a deep thought process. Intense with action drama this book is perfect to top your mythological ‘to read’ list. So, no more worrying over failing to read the original epic time and over again for this trilogy is here to give you some epic company.
