Palace of Illusions
Don't remember how I came across this book 'The Palace of Illusions' but after reading the review (from source I don't recollect), I caught hold of it from the library. Usually, books in English by Indian authors are not available in our local public library - the Prince William County Public Library. My sincere searchers for Tagore, Nehru, Rajaji, R.K.Narayan had only proved futile. Repeated requests with the chief librarian didn't change things much. Not even the award winning Jhumpa Lahiri or the titles 'English August', or 'God of small things'. Nay. But, Palace of Illusions was right there and also on 'available' status after being 'on hold' many times.
The description "Draupadi's narration of Mahabarata" was enough to captivate me, not because of the feminist title, but simply its different. The same story told from a different angle, from another's perspective, viewed from a different frame of reference matters. After all, truth is only one's perception of reality and it makes a difference as to how it is viewed or narrated. One's imprint of his/her personality on anything adds beauty to the whole experience!
The narration was simply flowing in style, not aimlessly superfluous, extremely creative and imaginative. It was a total absorption into the tale and more so into Draupadi's persona. Quite intrigued by the force of the author's telling tale.
It showed Chitra's voracious and wide reading over many years. The knowledge she had gained from different sources seems to include VedaVyasa's story put to text by various authors, discourses and interpretations from pundits. She had remained in the same story structure of VedaVyasa and used her imagination to make the Draupadi-Karna connection without any blasphemy. When this relation was first mentioned, I was shocked that this brilliant book might be put to scrutiny and questions. But , as the story goes, nothing stupid of that sort was eminent. The author has mentioned in the preface that this is a purely imaginative fiction weaved around the grand old Mahabarata!
When Draupadi gets dragged into Duryodana's assembly by Dushasana and when she is being humiliated, she goes into a state of trance in silent meditation of Krishna. When she comes to full consciousness, Dushasana is already on the floor and Draupadi does not seem to know what has happened. She thinks the obvious had happened and does not know that her dignity had been saved by Krishna. That's why she curses the Kauravas and leaves the assembly. No one even tells her later that by some miracle, the obvious did not happen at all and that her saree kept growing in length. So, Draupadi's quest for revenge never fades till the Kauravas are killed. That's an interesting highlight.
The climax though seems quite cinematic. Probably, Chitra wishes this book is also made into a movie?!
The book is definitely gripping till the last period. Period.
The description "Draupadi's narration of Mahabarata" was enough to captivate me, not because of the feminist title, but simply its different. The same story told from a different angle, from another's perspective, viewed from a different frame of reference matters. After all, truth is only one's perception of reality and it makes a difference as to how it is viewed or narrated. One's imprint of his/her personality on anything adds beauty to the whole experience!
The narration was simply flowing in style, not aimlessly superfluous, extremely creative and imaginative. It was a total absorption into the tale and more so into Draupadi's persona. Quite intrigued by the force of the author's telling tale.
It showed Chitra's voracious and wide reading over many years. The knowledge she had gained from different sources seems to include VedaVyasa's story put to text by various authors, discourses and interpretations from pundits. She had remained in the same story structure of VedaVyasa and used her imagination to make the Draupadi-Karna connection without any blasphemy. When this relation was first mentioned, I was shocked that this brilliant book might be put to scrutiny and questions. But , as the story goes, nothing stupid of that sort was eminent. The author has mentioned in the preface that this is a purely imaginative fiction weaved around the grand old Mahabarata!
When Draupadi gets dragged into Duryodana's assembly by Dushasana and when she is being humiliated, she goes into a state of trance in silent meditation of Krishna. When she comes to full consciousness, Dushasana is already on the floor and Draupadi does not seem to know what has happened. She thinks the obvious had happened and does not know that her dignity had been saved by Krishna. That's why she curses the Kauravas and leaves the assembly. No one even tells her later that by some miracle, the obvious did not happen at all and that her saree kept growing in length. So, Draupadi's quest for revenge never fades till the Kauravas are killed. That's an interesting highlight.
The climax though seems quite cinematic. Probably, Chitra wishes this book is also made into a movie?!
The book is definitely gripping till the last period. Period.
Gooooddd.. this book is in my latest "Must read list!" I posted it in my blog.. but havent had a chance to read it yet. Good to hear a good review from you! :)
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