Recently stumbled onto 2 novels related to the legend of Krishna, "The Krishna Key" and "Govinda".
The first one is written by Ashwin Singhvi, the author who has written bestseller Indian novels "The Rozabol Line" and "Chanakya's Chant" (the latter, one of my personal favorites). It is supposed to deal with Dwarka Myth, Krishna Legend and supposedly about a weapon/energy source passed down to us from Mahabharata times. I say supposed to, because as you go through the book, you actually just go through the book. I think Ashwin intended it to be some sort of Indian Da-Vinci Code, but dude, atleast you could have made it a little interesting. I wont judge whether it has a good plot, a good storyline, because by the time you reach page 3, you would have completely forgotten about page 1. But not to worry, Singhvi takes care that page 1 details don't matter at all in page 3. In case it is important, then he goes on to repeat the excruciating details once again. Its kind of reading one of those "For Dummies" books, where chapter 1 information is repeated in later ones, so that you don't forget what actually you are reading. You start the novel believing it is something related to Krishna, in the middle you think that it has got something to do with Mahabharat war and in the end you are made to think that it is a Lingam (with no possible relation to Krishna whatsoever). Well Singhvi after an entertaining "Chanakyas Chant" I had high hopes for "Krishna Key" . But you disappoint by going back to "Rozabol Line" style and so obviously trying to rip of a writing style of great novel.
Now to the second novel "Govinda". Now this is by a debutist Krishna Udayshankar. It is the first book of series "Aryavarta Chronicles", where author tries to retell the epic of Mahabharata, considering it as a purely political history event and not as a legendary myth we all associate it to be. To retell the greatest epic ever (well I feel so atleast), exactly as it is, itself is a mind numbing, challenging task. But to go into its depth and provide a kind of thesis for its underlying socio-political motives,themes is almost an impossible job for an experienced novelist, let alone for a debutante. But Krishna delivers in the first installment itself. As I started reading the novel, initially I felt it was bit slow, and I become apprehensive whether I can complete the novel, leave aside the series. But as the pace picked up, the analysis of Krishna provided for an interesting read. As I then raced towards the end, I was eagerly awaiting to pick up the second installment (sadly not yet published). Although the novel contains some analysis of the epic in the ways which are difficult to digest, esp. for a person fed with the standard dose of Puranas from childhood, the premise and the storyline are entirely not implausible. Its after you jump over this small hurdle of faith, that you actually start to enjoy the novel and appreciate the amount of research by the author. Whether it be the love of Krishna towards his people, or his conflict about love for Draupadi, or the shrewd political games he plays to ensure that peace he envisions for Aryavarta, all of them turn Krishna into a believable human figure, but never taking out the awe factor from our childhood hero, our God figure. I felt the narrative did not decrease the nobility, the super-human factors from the epic. It just turns the characters into more believable legends. Eagerly awaiting for the sequel.
So if anybody interested in reading a good book, go for "Govinda". It makes for a satisfying. For any body who needs a book at bedside table, just for light reading before night, can opt for the first.
The first one is written by Ashwin Singhvi, the author who has written bestseller Indian novels "The Rozabol Line" and "Chanakya's Chant" (the latter, one of my personal favorites). It is supposed to deal with Dwarka Myth, Krishna Legend and supposedly about a weapon/energy source passed down to us from Mahabharata times. I say supposed to, because as you go through the book, you actually just go through the book. I think Ashwin intended it to be some sort of Indian Da-Vinci Code, but dude, atleast you could have made it a little interesting. I wont judge whether it has a good plot, a good storyline, because by the time you reach page 3, you would have completely forgotten about page 1. But not to worry, Singhvi takes care that page 1 details don't matter at all in page 3. In case it is important, then he goes on to repeat the excruciating details once again. Its kind of reading one of those "For Dummies" books, where chapter 1 information is repeated in later ones, so that you don't forget what actually you are reading. You start the novel believing it is something related to Krishna, in the middle you think that it has got something to do with Mahabharat war and in the end you are made to think that it is a Lingam (with no possible relation to Krishna whatsoever). Well Singhvi after an entertaining "Chanakyas Chant" I had high hopes for "Krishna Key" . But you disappoint by going back to "Rozabol Line" style and so obviously trying to rip of a writing style of great novel.
Now to the second novel "Govinda". Now this is by a debutist Krishna Udayshankar. It is the first book of series "Aryavarta Chronicles", where author tries to retell the epic of Mahabharata, considering it as a purely political history event and not as a legendary myth we all associate it to be. To retell the greatest epic ever (well I feel so atleast), exactly as it is, itself is a mind numbing, challenging task. But to go into its depth and provide a kind of thesis for its underlying socio-political motives,themes is almost an impossible job for an experienced novelist, let alone for a debutante. But Krishna delivers in the first installment itself. As I started reading the novel, initially I felt it was bit slow, and I become apprehensive whether I can complete the novel, leave aside the series. But as the pace picked up, the analysis of Krishna provided for an interesting read. As I then raced towards the end, I was eagerly awaiting to pick up the second installment (sadly not yet published). Although the novel contains some analysis of the epic in the ways which are difficult to digest, esp. for a person fed with the standard dose of Puranas from childhood, the premise and the storyline are entirely not implausible. Its after you jump over this small hurdle of faith, that you actually start to enjoy the novel and appreciate the amount of research by the author. Whether it be the love of Krishna towards his people, or his conflict about love for Draupadi, or the shrewd political games he plays to ensure that peace he envisions for Aryavarta, all of them turn Krishna into a believable human figure, but never taking out the awe factor from our childhood hero, our God figure. I felt the narrative did not decrease the nobility, the super-human factors from the epic. It just turns the characters into more believable legends. Eagerly awaiting for the sequel.
So if anybody interested in reading a good book, go for "Govinda". It makes for a satisfying. For any body who needs a book at bedside table, just for light reading before night, can opt for the first.
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