Valmiki's Women

VALMIKI's WOMEN by Anand Neelakantan There is something very special about childhood memories. Growing up in CATC (Civil Aviation Training Centre) Bamrauli, Prayagraj, was a dream childhood. The nerve centre of the colony was the Swimming pool complex. It had a rose garden, lawns for get together and the best of all an amphitheatre where movies were regularly screened and cultural events hosted on stage. I remember watching many movies including SAMPOORN RAMAYAN a movie that was launched three years before I was born in 1961. The story of Ram, Laxman, Sita and Ravan was one I grew up on. Later the 80's saw the arrival of epic Ramanand Sagar's Ramayana on Doordarshan and once again the childhood memories came back of the amphitheatre. And today I finished reading VALMIKI'S WOMEN by Anand Neelakantan. The book is extrenely interesting and a book with a stark difference. For Anand writes not from the point of view of the protagonist, but choses to write from the point of view of the anatagonist. The five stories unfold in a beautiful manner, each one a delight to read. But more than that they take you deep into the story of Ramayan. The author has done extensive research and coupled with his vivid imagination and great prose, produced a fantastic book. In the very first story, the author writes: " It was such a beautiful world. The Earth was pregnant with promise. He got his answer. He would capture all the love in the world and create a woman. She would be his story, his message, his love, his goddess, his mother, his daughter. No mortal could give birth to her. She had to be born of Earth. Bhoomija would be her name". The second story Shanta came as a huge surprise. I had no idea that Lord Rama had an elder sister Shanta. The story unfolds among other things, the love between Shanta and her saintly husband: " He treated Pariahs with the same love and respect that he showed royalty. Wherever he looked, he found Brahman. Wherever she looked she found him". The third story, Manthara gives a powerful narrative of the ugly hunchbacked woman who played an important role: " This mother. This mother lovely. Manthara hadn't heard a more beautiful lie in her life." The fourth story Tataka is about the Yaksha ( Nature Spirits) who was cursed to become a Rakashasa. Married to a Gandharva ( Celestial beings whose males are divine singers and females are divine dancers), she worries about her husband who reassures her: "I will be around singing with the western breeze, singing among the trees, riding the dragonfly wings and drinking nectar from the flowers. I will be there in the murmur of the bamboo, in the laughter of the brooks ; I will ooze down the forest canopy as buttery moonlight and dance with the fireflies, melt in the cuckoo's songs and sleep in the mango blossoms". And the last story is about Soorpanakha, only I did not know she was also called Meenakshi. Defigured by Lakshman she says: "It (life) has never ceased to give me a chance Sita. Every breath, every moment, it gives me a chance; it asks me to chose, and I chose beauty. The seers might say I am seeking what I don't have, but I don't care for them much. We can never find what is not within us. I see beauty in everything, Sita, and feel wonderment every moment". So, the author uses his imagination and research to spin five fantastic tales. A book that is an absoloute must for lovers of mythology as well as those wishing to read captivating stories. So go for it today.

Love this masterpiece !! As an honest follower of Mr.Anand Neelakantan, his writing never fails to amuse me. An entire different view and perspective of Ramayana women. Must read. Beautifully narrated by the author. Printing quality of the book is really good. Highly recommended

This book gives a totally new perspective to the take of Ramayan . One is made to think about these characters . Handled very sensitively . No eulogising which normally happens , but a simple telling of a story

So well written.....life is not binary neither black or white nor good or evil. Life is something in between. Glad I picked this fascinating book.

I loved the book. Its a beautiful retelling .

Except the story of Shanta others seemed quite confusing. Is it a true version of Valmiki stories i have my doubts.

A different perspective on women who have been demonized for ages. Enjoyed it.

I liked the story of Shanta. It will resonate with every woman in a world which prefers sons over daughters. Manthara is known to be scheming, but the author had not judged her here, but painted her in various shades of grey. Who are we to judge people? The story of Tataka, and the oneness with nature, is a lesson for all of us - respect mother nature. There's no God greater than her. Good language. No unpronounceable words. No need to grab a dictionary. The tales are engaging, even though they might be familiar to most of us. Do grab the book, and enjoy.