Fed on a staple diet of Amar Chitra Kathas and telly Ramayana (which I watched with quiet fanaticism) Banker’s version is a treat - a fast-paced graphic thriller if you will pardon my French. He has culled together Valmiki and Tusidas’ versions among others and I for one never knew that each retelling was so different. Tulsidas portrays Sita as a sobbing half-wit while Valmiki’s version praises her as a strong-willed princess. The infamous Lakshman Rekha is not mentioned in Valmiki’s version at all. Go figure!! For more visit Banker's Blog
As observed from a desk on the second floor of the second last building on the perimeters of a megapolis
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Friday, October 27, 2006
An Indian Fantasy
I am hooked to Ashok Banker’s RAMAYANA series; appropriately I was on Book 6 KING OF AYODHYA a day before Diwali. I never thought an Indian could handle the action fantasy genre but Banker is surprisingly good and so is the editing. I spotted just two copy errors. Spread out over six books. Honestly, I am floored.
My pseudo-religious fervor nicely balances out with Bill Bryson’s THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE THUNDERBOLT KID. Absolutely hilarious, Bryson is a riot! Being an American kid in the 50’s isn’t all that different from being an Indian kid in the 70’s – after all 1950’s (all-American) conveniences were just about trickling into India of the 70’s.
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10 comments:
oh yeah..that would be a great idea..to have a travelogue that makes sense!!!
about andamans .. u cud have asked me :)
Awaiting your travelogue.. belated happy Diwali.
seems an interesting book
travelogue!!! gud ya
Rama..you are tagged!!
I saw this book at the bookstore but wasnt sure how it would turn out... now will try and get my hands on it
Hi Guys
Awfully Belated Diwali Greetings
Sanjay, Mathew, Abhinav Dhruv: Have almost there regd the travelogue...
Cyberkitty, Aditi - Yup it sure is tho I think the last of the lot kinda dragged:)
Mathew: OOoo I am lazy..will do sooooon
Hi!
This August when I was in Bangalore I saw the Ashok Banker "Ramayana" series gracing the shelves at "Crossword" and other bookstores but I wasn't sure what sort of a read it would be. I'm so glad to see you endorse them, I will have to ask my mom to send me the series.
You may read some Ramayana verses which are not popular with ordinary Ramayana writers and readers.
www.ramayanayb.blogspot.com
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