books 
8 Comments Prince of Ayodhya
Rama.
Oct 9, 2005 - books 8 Comments
books 8 Comments I have always been very interested and fascinated by Indian culture and mythology, especially all those stories about our Gods and Goddesses, and when at some book sale way back in September of 2003, I saw this book titled Prince of Ayodhya – Book One of the Ramayana by Ashok K Banker, I immediately picked it up. That was one of the wisest purchases I have ever made!
My friends all thought I was crazy to be reading the Ramayana of all books. Somehow everybody has this misconception that you read the Ramayana and Mahabharatha and other such books, only when you’re old?! I get this all the time, even as recent as last week, when I was reading this abridged version of the Mahabharatha by Chakravarthi V Narasimhan (recommended to me by Ashok K Banker, himself!).
Anyway, Prince of Ayodhya was a roller coaster ride and I loved it! Never before had I read or thought of the Ramayana in this way! I loved the book so much that I felt I must tell the author this. I searched the internet and the book publisher’s website and found a link to Ashok’s website – www.epicindia.com. I left a comment on his website and was in for a shock when a day later, the author mailed me!
That was the start of a series of conversations about the Ramayana and various other epics and also the start of a friendship with the author. I have never heard of another author, anywhere, who is more accessible to his fans.
The Ramayana is being told in a 6 part series, of which 4 have already been released -
Prince of Ayodhya,
Siege of Mithila,
Demons of Chitrakut, and
Armies of Hanuman
Books 5 and 6 (below) will be released in Jan 2006 and May 2006 respectively-
Bridge of Rama,
King of Ayodhya
Prince of Ayodhya is the first and the last book I ever bought of Ashok K Banker! Ashok has been kind enough to send me autographed copies of the rest of the series! He also honoured me by acknowledging me in the Armies of Hanuman! Thanks Ashok!
A few days back, I decided to re-re-read the 4 books, but this time at one stretch! It was great fun and over the next few days I shall post my reviews of the same here.
The following is a review of Prince of Ayodhya that I had posted on amazon.com. Read on
Rama.
Thus begins the retelling of The Ramayana, one of the most holy epics of the Hindus, and that one word, I feel, conveys infinity.
Ashok K. Banker has taken upon himself the task of retelling this mammoth epic and the first book “The Prince of Ayodhya” gives us a very good idea of what to expect in future volumes and that feeling is a very good one. What an amazing writer!
Ramayana is an epic with many characters with complex histories and the author does a splendid job of introducing us to the characters and their past. He literally transports us into the world of Rama and spares no detail of the world we have been transported to. His style of writing makes the book a ‘un-putdown able’ book! Once you start–you’re addicted, the author captivates our imagination and senses and manages to hold our attention right till the very end, where he leaves us in a state of hunger for further volumes.
Readers must realize that the Ramayana is not just this one book, but the entire series as a whole. We can only begin to comprehend and appreciate the Ramayana once we finish that final 6th book, until then we have to go with the flow and enjoy where the author takes us, which is probably even beyond his control, but the author can make the trip a pleasurable one, which I believe Ashok K Banker is doing very effectively.
Some western readers complain that they find the use of Indian words a little trying, but I say to such people make the best use of this opportunity to learn something new! The usage of these words makes the book complete, because certain words and phrases cannot be translated and even if they can be translated, they may lose their essence.
On the whole the book is simply brilliant and is a must read not just for Indians, but just about anybody who wish to read a story of love, brotherhood, dharma (duty) and not to miss the evil that lies in wait The Ramayana is of course all this and much, much more.
I say get this book now and join Rama on an adventure that should not be missed.
For more details visit Ashok’s Website – www.epicindia.com – and also visit his blog – http://indianenglish.blogspot.com/
Jai Shri Ram!