ASURA : TALE OF THE VANQUISHED

BANG-BANG DEBUT ......... !

Prior , Ramayna had been tabled with different point of views . But I think , It’s the first time when it is narrated in Ravana's point of view . 

Asura is an epic tale of the vanquished Asura People . The plot is drawn on the outline of Ramayna but represented with some very critical angles . Best Thing about the book is that Rama & Ravana , Main Protagonist of Ramayna had been portrayed  as Humans instead of some special-powers holder .

FRONT COVER ~>

A very Sobre front cover with Light-orange colour is presented which sounds apt with the book. On Top is the name of the Book ASURA  and  a beautiful aritistic sketch of Faces of Ravana are made so catchy that made a reader spend few seconds staring the cover .

BACK COVER ~>

In Back cover lies the following Gist of the inside Plot embedded over the faces of Ravana .

 The epic tale of victory and defeat… The story of the Ramayana had been told innumerable times. The enthralling story of Rama, the incarnation of God, who slew Ravana, the evil demon of darkness, is known to every Indian. And in the pages of history, as always, it is the version told by the victors that lives on. The voice of the vanquished remains lost in silence. 

But what if Ravana and his people had a different story to tell? The story of the Ravanayana has never been told. Asura is the epic tale of the vanquished Asura people, a story that has been cherished by the oppressed castes of India for 3000 years. Until now, no Asura has dared to tell the tale. But perhaps the time has come for the dead and the defeated to speak. 

“For thousands of years, I have been vilified and my death is celebrated year after year in every corner of India. Why? Was it because I challenged the Gods for the sake of my daughter? Was it because I freed a race from the yoke of caste-based Deva rule? You have heard the victor’s tale, the Ramayana. Now hear the Ravanayana, for I am Ravana, the Asura, and my story is the tale of the vanquished.” 

“I am a non-entity – invisible, powerless and negligible. No epics will ever be written about me. I have suffered both Ravana and Rama – the hero and the villain or the villain and the hero. When the stories of great men are told, my voice maybe too feeble to be heard. Yet, spare me a moment and hear my story, for I am Bhadra, the Asura, and my life is the tale of the loser.” 

The ancient Asura empire lay shattered into many warring petty kingdoms reeling under the heel of the Devas. In desperation, the Asuras look up to a young saviour – Ravana. Believing that a better world awaits them under Ravana, common men like Bhadra decide to follow the young leader. With a will of iron and a fiery ambition to succeed, Ravana leads his people from victory to victory and carves out a vast empire from the Devas. But even when Ravana succeeds spectacularly, the poor Asuras find that nothing much has changed from them. It is then that Ravana, by one action, changes the history of the world. "

INSIDE VIEW  ~> 

Story is narrated in Ist person by Ravana and Bhadra . Story leads in parallel pattern with Bhadra and Ravana showcasing how Ravana with all even as well as odds , becomes the emperor of Asuras . Book reveals how a Father sacrificed each and everything at his disposal for his daughter . Ravana is portrayed as a man who is filled with arrogance but at same time want his race to achieve the glory as they hold earlier before Kubera , Ravana’s half brother, started crushing the innocent asuras . With Ravana Character , Author tries to reveal the difficulties and sacrifices that a person made just to ensure the security and prosperity of his own people . 
Another main protagonist is Bhadra . Bhadra , an innocent civilian whose family was deceased by the devas and to seek revenge , he turned himself with ravana and Served him with complete loyalty . Even after his all sacrifices , Ravana never treats him well . With Bhadra , Author tries to give a strong message  that Doesn't matter who fought and win the wars , it is always the innocent citizens who lose .
Author had also put some stances in humorous way which lit smile with brain consistently rolled up in plot . Number of sketches are also plugged-in the book .

Fact that compel me pick the book is the Contents Index which starts with “ The End “ and last chapter is named “ The Beginning”

Out of all , I loved Bhadra's Character . With his character , Author depicts  people who are completely loyal to us than any other but we ignored them similar to situation of  collecting stones and kicking diamonds . 

With the book , Author also highlights the evils dwelling because of  caste system . How caste sytem is ruining the happiness and unity of society from so long and the idea that in every human lies an evil and an angel . It all depends who takes over while taking a particular decision. Truly Hooking  and so is a BANG BANG DEBUT !

BOOK DETAILS :

Title: ASURA : TALE OF THE VANQUISHED .
Author: Anand Neelakantan

ISBN: 978-93-81576-05-2
Genre: Thriller ( Fiction/Epic)
Publishers: Platinum Press 
Price: INR. 299

ASURA : TALE OF THE VANQUISHED is available at following Online Stores

   ASURA @ Amazon.in
  ASURA @ Flipkart

Read Excerpt from following link :

Excerpt of ASURA : TALE OF THE VANQUISHED

  

" This is Not a Paid Review ! The Opinions expressed in the review are my own , and remain unbaised and uninfluenced . "

                                             - Rahul Rai Khatri