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Ravanaleela by Radha Viswanath | Book Review

Summary:

Ravana, perhaps the most popular Rakshasa in Indian mythology, is known as the villain in the Ramayana and the epic would not have been what it is without this great Rakshasa.
Yet Ravana is much more than a mere abductor. Born out of the union of a Rishi and Rakshasi, a devout Shiv-bhakt and a mighty king, Ravana is no ordinary Rakshasa.
This book attempts to bring out a comprehensive and well-rounded character of Ravana. The various little dots of information about the Rakshasa king as given in Valmiki Ramayana have been picked with care, collated and compared with presentations in several other versions of the Ramayana and the long, hoary lineage of the demon king painstakingly put together to present this villain of villains as a legend worthy of greater attention.

Author:

Radha Viswanath

Publisher:

Rupa Publications

Release date:

October 1st 2017

No. of Pages:

Paperback, 280 Pages

Any story in life can be and should be seen from all possible angles. The book presents story from the perspective of Ravana. Although mythology is not my favorite genre but I must say, this one unfolds in an extremely logical manner. The narration and characterization has done brilliantly of Ravana, who is considered the epitome of a villain in Hindu mythology. It breaks the beliefs for how it had happened.

I felt that the author slowed a bit on a few occasions but otherwise it's a good read. If you like mythology or a great story please get a copy for yourself, you won’t regret. People who like to read from a different perspective should pick it up and read. Overall the book is a good read, keeps interested to know the knowns from a different perspective.