Amish Tripathi’s first novel is
the epic fantasy. Immortals of Meluha is based on the belief that
perhaps the actions, deeds and karma are the only determining factors to
metamorphose an ordinary man to a god like figure or god! This is a
story of a 21 years old Guna tribal chief Shiva. The story starts with
the Kailash parvat resident Guna tribe fighting with other tribe Pakrits
for the land near holy lake “Mansarovar”. Then the plot twists
surprisingly as Shiva accepts foreigner Nandi’s offer to migrate to his
Country Meluha, the land of Suryavanshi’s. This starts the beautiful,
fascinating journey of Shiva’s life. That was the time when oracles used
to turn the wheel of fortune and kingship was seen as an order of
divinity, a time which we believe never existed in reality but only in
epics and mythologies. And herein lies the greatness of our Classical
super-past that always allows us a window to look through it only to
find ourselves little insignificant beings in front of such a stupendous
cultural cosmos. We also come to know about certain cultural rites
beliefs and the logic behind such Dos and Don’ts. The story truly has
captured the spirit of those bygone ages in their true color.
Author
has used the mythological kernels and factoids beautifully to develop
the story. Though it is a fantasy, the knowledge and timing of the
mythological incidents and characters is beautiful. The characters
develops slowly but completely as the story unfolds but somewhere it
also makes the story predictable. There are variety of reasons to like
this book. The pace of the book is very good, the language is simple
though it may be difficult to get some words for the people who do not
have insight to Indian mythology
The
jargons(includes ‘idiot’) used in the books gives us the feel as if the
characters are talking in today’s era and they sound inappropriate.
This is the point most readers have criticised Amish for. It would have
been better if writer would have avoided the jargons so that reader can
actually travel 4000 years back and feel the time. Also in the chapter
where Daksha allows Sati to travel with Shiva on the tour to Meluha is
the point where Amish goes completely bollywood. This journey could
have been started with some stronger and story complimenting reason.
Also the maika system of taking away newly born children from their
mothers and being raised in Gurukul, keeping their identity under wraps
is something I wonder if Indian society ever had. However Amish has
gone a long way to say how our rich heritage could be used in the modern
day and age. It is a very noble beginning. I hope we see more writers
taking Indian mythology as the base of their books.
If you have to say something....I am listening:)
