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Be prepared to rethink your assumptions about the Ramayana as you read David Hair’s take on it. PRAGADISH KIRUBAKARAN

Title: King of Lanka

Author: David Hair

Publisher: Penguin

Price: Rs. 250

Reasoning, some say, begins with context. David Hair’s fourth book The King of Lanka is basically Ramayana set in the 21st century. This book is set to break a whole bunch of myths, opinions and viewpoints regarding the lore, lords, their lives and their lies. It is a picturesque depiction of how Ramayana is not just a tale, but the very fragment of hope and purpose in life. Maybe to a certain extent even fate…?

Questions
The crux of the story revolves around the characters Vikram, Amanjit, Rasita and Deepika. We understand how they have been persecuted and killed by Ravindra one life after another; all in all 16 to be precise. Here, we also begin to question ‘Who is this Ravindra?’ ‘Why and what are they fighting for?’, as they try to unravel age-old mysteries and forgotten pasts.

Riveting, astonishing and overwhelming are the three words that could probably describe this book eloquently. It is evident that while flipping through each page untangles a whirlpool of emotions within as it decodes, deconstructs, unwinds, and to an extent manages to destroy a lot of our beliefs regarding the epic novel. By portraying Raavan in a whole new light, this book forces us to look upon everything with a new perspective.

It defies every bit of logic and self-control that we’ve so painfully mastered over the years with reference to the biopic. A swiftly woven mystery so delicately removed layer by layer like shadows from darkness.By putting a new twist, adding new perspectives to the way we view the Ramayana today, the author has tried to convince and revolutionise the outlook of just about anyone reading it.

However, he has maintained lucidly, that this series is purely fictional and meant only as entertainment. He has also cautioned his readers to see it in that way.

Overall, David Hair’s flair for writing draws you into a complex and implausible world where nothing is what it appears to be. You lose your identity as you get unduly sucked into the myth along with the protagonists. This is a rare and gripping story with a command for unfiltered emotions set on display with a favoured yet unaccustomed finale.

A worthy read but try not to take it too personally!

Pragadish is a Multimedia student with Arena Academy.

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