Book Review – THE MASTERS KURU

I have always been fascinated with the mythological stories, especially The Mahabharata is an oft narrated tale.

I remember many a Sunday mornings growing up, which were spent watching The Mahabharata with the family and immersing ourselves in the storyline, and then never thinking much of it, because our own lives were so far apart, and this tale too fantastical.

Last weekend, I came across the book Misters Kuru: A Return to Mahabharata by Trisha Das, Published by Harper Collins – A modern day take on the characters of Mahabharata and what their lives would be like in today’s world!

The beginning was a bit of a revelation for me, for in whatever avatar I could have imagined the characters of Mahabharata, I could not have envisioned this story.

The vision and vibrancy that the author Trisha Das brings to the characters and the tale is quite refreshing and have me laughing out loud in places.

Some aspects of the story were a little more risqué than I like to read, and some a little more throwback to the narrow definitions of a woman’s role and a man’s luxuries – neither something that any of us, I am certain, in today’s day and age would agree on. This big of angst in the old fashioned patterns of thinking of the men, and the new-age approach to life by the women brings forth an interesting plot, full of circumstantial humour and twists and turns in the story.

It is interesting how the women return to earth, forfeiting heaven, to re-live a life on their terms, to correct their wrong doings from the past, to become, who they truly want to be, and not live in the constricted roles from the times of the original Mahabharata, which, as I read this book, I realized, had a very defined and limiting scope of the role the women could play and the life they could lead – the life portrayed was something, we just accepted as youngsters when we saw the Mahabharata for the first time.

I also really enjoyed reading about Draupadi and the new life she created – right from her work, her toys, her dresses, right down to her heels!

The fact that the mother figure made such a bold choice is something I applaud, as in correcting her one wrong, she does so much more good – definitely a note we can all take – to do something larger than just ourselves.

The last point of my review, about the very first thing I notice in a book – its cover!

This book has a quirky cover, in line with the storyline and style! Vibrant colors and caricature which invites you into the humorous read.

 A fun read over a weekend to take a spin down a new tale – don’t relate it to the original, but rather like a new janam/ story of those characters reborn – and you will certainly enjoy the quirks of the tale.

One tiny thing to keep in mind is, a part of the story play relies on your knowledge of the original Mahabharata, and that does add to the landing of the story. However, you could read it still, and laugh just as hard as I did!

Happy Reading!

Cheers,

I

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 The book is available on Amazon in Paperback and Kindle format – Do check it out for a fun weekend read!