Book Title:
The Misters Kuru: A Return to Mahabharata
Price:
Paperback Edition: Rs. 246, Kindle: Rs. 158
Where to Buy:
https://www.amazon.in/Misters-Kuru-Mahabharata-Trisha-Das/dp/9354224350
Genre:
Literary & Contemporary Fiction
Publisher:
HarperCollins India
ASIN : B08Y65SVKS
Disclaimer:
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
The Story:
Ms. Draupadi and Ms. Kunti have settled well on Earth. Each busy with what satisfies her. Ms. Draupadi is a television personality of some importance and Ms. Kunti a mother and head of an orphanage. Of course, life can’t be so quiet for these famous ladies. Out of the blue the five Pandavas land on Earth. They leave the countless comforts of heaven to find out what their favorite women are up to and to take them back to where they belong. Indraprastha or Delhi as we all know it, has changed for sure. The men take in the soaring buildings, cars, pollution and glass-encased elevators and don’t miss a heartbeat. Hilarious scenes and funny takes on modern life take up the pages of this book.
My Review:
The book cover is attractive with colorful artwork that makes you want to pick it up. The Pandavas descend from Heaven to modern day Earth with a modern, short-skirted Draupadi running in the opposite direction! You definitely want to pick up the book and read what it is about.
Heaven turns out to have some really unique bonuses. Nubile nymphs and eternal youth being a few. After thousands of years of heavenly life, Arjuna is bored with it. When he finds out that Draupadi and mother Kunti are on Earth, he gathers up his brothers and they decide to go to Earth and find out what these women are really up to. They hope to ‘rescue’ them from their foolishness and bring them back to Heaven quickly. Krishna consents to them descending to Earth for thirty days.
Arjuna always loved Draupadi, after all he won her fair and square. The misunderstanding where the five ended up sharing her was not to his liking, but who was he to object in that day and time? We learn that Draupadi actually loves Arjuna, but duty bounds her to Yudhishtra as the eldest son. Her life away from them has something to do with this frustration. She is now a feminist.
Little do they know how the trappings of modern life truly trap them. They end up having adventures very different from the Great War of their previous lifetime. For the first time, the ladies defy them. Draupadi declares herself free and no longer obliged to be a wife. Kunti declares she is enjoying her life as head of an orphanage. She loves looking after Karna, her chance to make up for the lack of love he had during the Great War. The Pandava brothers are confounded by their rebellious women. The site of Amba with a baby stuns them. Gandhari cannot be far from these women either.
Of course, nothing is complete without Narada. Somehow, he is sent off to Earth with the Pandavas. Krishna commands that Narada cook at the orphanage to atone for his sins. His horrible cooking leaves everyone pitying the children who have to eat the slop. Bhima must save the day by remaining as a cook with the orphanage. No one really listens to Yudhishtra anymore, modern times being what it is. Yudhishtra is left flummoxed!
And so, the brothers blunder from one situation to another. Arjuna is flabbergasted by a vibrator that belongs to Draupadi, the ‘free woman.’ But he easily impresses modern-day mortals with his cricket-playing skills,
“It’s so similar to preparing for battle”
Of course, mortals called Arjuna are a dime a dozen. One mortal Arjuna plans to make Warrior Arjuna famous on “BouTube.” He takes videos of Arjuna’s cricket skills.
“Superfastbowler26” as Arjuna is named for “BouTube” becomes viral and Draupadi’s phone receives thousands of messages. She is furious that he used her number.
“My phone went crazy today.” She snapped.
The Pandavas experience wearing jeans for the first time is enjoyable to read. Scratching itchy groins is their biggest challenge in thick jeans. They wonder how men even reproduce with these tight contraptions. They reminisce about their days of being free and wearing airy clothes. The scene will definitely make you chuckle!
Nakula cannot be left behind and he ends up becoming a model. His pretty looks attract the attention of Angela who works with Draupadi. We find him suited and booted posing for photos. His crush on Angela keeps him in good humor, though Sahadeva does not approve. But then, who cares in modern-day Delhi?
“What he did know was that he was done feeling guilty.”
Should Nakula stay and romance with Angela and break his centuries-old bond with Sahadeva or does he go back?
Yudhishtra of course must muddle in politics, leader that he is. He decides that Kalyug needs him. He is drowning in intrigue for the BYBM Center. Sycophants surround him, kneel at his feet, which does make him feel some discomfort. But his integrity and decency seem to be slipping away in the murky world of politics. There is a tongue in cheek look at the politics of our world that turns even the head of someone as true as Yudhishtra. Draupadi’s rebellion against her husband No. 1 as Yudhishtra sees himself, is a bigger impetus to him to fit into murky politics. Does he succeed? Read the book to find out.
Who goes back to heaven and who doesn’t? Do Draupadi and Kunti relent and leave with the Pandavas? Can Yudhishtra go back to Heaven alone if it comes to that? Bhima loves cooking, but will he stay when it is time to go back to Heaven? Is Arjuna and Draupadi’s love for each other true? Nakula and Sahadeva have always been two halves of a whole. Will they survive apart?
What I Liked:
Having experienced badly written books by Indian authors, this reviewer did pick up the book with some trepidation about the language and grammar. But the book is beautifully edited and the words used are concise, simple and yet convey the meanings. No complicated words, or long winding phrases to take away from the book. The words flow well and will meet your expectations if you are a fan of the Mahabharata.
What I Didn’t Like:
I really liked the book. There wasn’t one thing I didn’t like. Draupadi’s take on feminism, Kunti’s Liberal thoughts suit the modern era. The Pandavas’ values compared to today and how they deal with it all, are lessons given in a story format.
About the Author:
Acclaimed documentary director of 40 documentaries and Indian National Award winner Trisha Das also has a knack for writing. She has written six books: Kama’s Last Sutra, Ms. Draupadi Kuru: After the Pandavas, The Mahabharata Reimagined, The Art of the Television Interview and critically acclaimed How to Write a Documentary Script. Somehow Ms. Das has found time to write articles and short stories for popular magazines. And if this wasn’t enough, Ms. Trisha Das has a Social Media presence and answers emails.
Find Trisha Das on: Facebook @trishadasauthor Twitter: @thetrishadas Instagram: @trishadas and email her: trishadasauthor@gmail.com
This book review is written as part of theblogchatter.com Book Review Program.
Very nice.
Thank you