The success of Mythology depends on belief rather than facts and logic. Whether Hanumanji actually built the Ram Setu or not is really quite irrelevant. The fact that a billion people like to believe so is really what makes it important.
One of the most intriguing gods in Hindu mythology is Lord Shiva. Even to my illiterate mind, Shiva stands for raw energy, for passion and for strength. It is difficult to do justice to such a phenomenon in a few hundred pages. But that's exactly what Amish does in the Immortals of Meluha. Justice to the character. He takes Lord Shiva and makes him into a plausible character- one with feelings and faults, with a personality and a mind that constantly reasons with logic. The hero of the book is not the plot but the characterization that the author has achieved. Whenever I hear of Sati henceforth, I will imagine her to be this righteous, beautiful woman who is as comfortable accepting laws that banish her as she is dueling with those who question her honour.
The plot of the book follows Shiva as he searches for his destiny and tries to do what seems to be right. He is curious, honourable and respectful. At the same time, his colorful persona makes him mischievous, adding flavour to the book.
The author has used many techniques of writing to make the book interesting and has succeeded in doing so. The construction of sentences is captivating, the language simple yet not condescendingly so and scenario setting done with such aplomb that one can almost visualize Kashmir from the eyes of a tribal immigrant. Though the story is set in 1900BC, it appeals to the modern mind because history has been cleverly interwoven with logic, science and myth. It is difficult to know where facts end and fiction begins, the mark of a great writer. Amish has found what it takes to make a bestseller- intriguing characterization, simple plot that takes the reader with it and an open ending that makes sure that the reader buys the next book. I already did.
I increasingly find myself reading books only from the Indian Authors section on my online library. Not because of some misplaced patriotism but because writers of this new era are coming up with such fantastic books that I find myself wanting more.
Get the Immortals of Meluha. You won't be able to put it down!
posted from Bloggeroid
