What happens when mythological characters from the epics come and live in a modern-day world? Makes for an interesting take on what we knew of the original story.
Misters Kuru by Trisha Das is one such book. It is not a modern take on Mahabharata, but a new story in a modern-day world with the same people. However, it does provide some interesting perspectives on some of the characters.
I received a paperback copy of Misters Kuru as part of Blog Chatter’s Book Chatter Review Program in return for a candid review. Here is my take on the book.
The book starts with the Pandava men who are in Heaven, with the author subtly describing the celestial world and what goes on there. With a change in status from well-known and revered Kings and Princes to ‘just regular’ people in Heaven, the Pandava men seem a little lost. Add to that, they suddenly find that their wife Draupadi & mother Kunti visited Earth along with Amba and have decided not to return! Unable to understand why the ladies would abandon them without so much as ‘asking for permission’ or even telling them about it, the Pandavas decide to visit Earth and bring the women back to Heaven and ‘save’ them from a life of misery.
However, the women seem to have adapted well to life on earth, and even seem to be enjoying it. Kunti is able to re-connect with her son Karna in a new avatar and fulfill all her motherly duties that she was unable to do in her original life. Plus she takes charge of running an orphanage and finds solace in caring for the kids. Similarly, Draupadi too has a new life with glamorous clothes & friends and is famous in her own right, fighting for the rights of women. She also fights for her own needs and has her say when she no longer wants to be the wife of Pandavas. The bond between the two women is more like a mother and daughter, with Kunti supporting Draupadi in her stand. Amba, who was re-born in the original epic as Shikhandini and never had the chance at a happy regular life, is now a happy mother.
When the Pandavas come down to Earth, they realize how these women have changed and that it will not be an easy task to take them back to Heaven. The men do not adapt to modern life as well as the women. The story unravels how they come across several challenging and strange situations in the modern-day Indraprastha (now Delhi) and what they learn from it.
If you liked the Mahabharata and are someone who is open to new angles to the story, you will definitely enjoy this one. Do not go in trying to match the Mahabharata to this one, as except for the characters and some references to the original, it is a new story in its own right. The book is perceptive, funny, and sometimes emotional too as each of the characters looks back at their previous life, what was left unspoken or unfulfilled then, and question many beliefs. The book also provides a funny, yet insightful take at what happens in our everyday world, how sometimes people are used for one’s benefit in the Kaliyug and makes us rethink our choices. So if you are looking for some light but interesting reading, pick up this one.
Title : Misters Kuru
Author : Trisha Das
Category : Fiction
Language : : English
No. Of Pages : 270
Available On : Amazon.in in both Kindle Edition & Paper Back
Rating By The Scarlett Dragonfly : 3.5 / 5
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla and sponsored by Bakez by Daizy.
This shows that Women love their freedom 🙂
So they are enjoying more here 🙂
I read and reviewed this book too, Vasumathi, and my thoughts were much the same as yours. It was a refreshing read that had me chuckling in places.
After reading your review on this book it seems like an interesting book. I would like to read it soon.
I have always felt Mahabharat is more suited to the current times. I have read so many reviews of the book and I like how everyone has their own takeaways. My daughter has been after me to read the book. I should pick it up soon.
Sound interesting. Would like to read to see the Dtoupadi stand. How she adopted this earth life and how these Pandvas survive? Something funny but insightful. Thank you for sharing.
It seems like the writer has written about the epic characters in modern perspective in an interesting manner. It’s a must read fiction. Thanks for the information.
I don’t remember clearly but I’ve definitely seen some sort of movie centered around this theme. The way you’ve described it, this one looks like an interesting read.
I loved the theme of the book. Pandavas in the modern world would look hilarious! The book is already on my ‘TBR’ list:)
Enjoyed reading your review, Vasumathi. And I agree with your thoughts. It was quite an enjoyable read. But one should not compare it with the epic. This is a different take.
I hope people in our polarized world don’t take offence to this book. People seem to outrage over imagined slights nowadays.
Apart from that, the portrayal of women in the book is interesting. The women refusing to return, the men wondering why the women don’t feel happy with them — it’s ironic and hilarious at the same time.
Mahabharata in recent times or characters of the epic in today’s world is definitely an interesting take.
Sounds interesting, a new version of Mahabharata differently presented in this modern world. I will sure read it and enjoy every page of it.
That was a lovely review. I found this book very interesting. What a thought process to get the Mahabharata characters into mainstream life. Really well written by Trisha
For me, Mahabharat is more apt to the current times. I have read quite a lot of reviews of the book and I like how everyone has their own takeaways. I am going to read it soon.
Great review! The book explores a very different genre of story and your review does justice to the book.
I read and reviewed the book on my blog. I really loved the new twists and turns that the author has added to make it an interesting read
We would pick this book soon for sure as my kids love Religious books, This would be best to get a twisted read.
I Liked your honest review. Still have not read the book but now I know what to expect from this book. Sounds like an interesting read.
I read another book from the same author on the similar premise. This one I am yet to read. Nice review.
This is such an interesting take on Mahabharata. I’m more curious about this book now, after reading your review Vasu. Well done!
I’ve read a number of reviews of this book but somehow it’s not attracted me enough to pick it up… It does seem to have been handled very creatively though!