Rewind: Ramayana

After turning the last page of the Ramayana series by Ashok K. Banker, I couldn't help but feel a little sad as yet another of my favourite epics was over. The Ramayana has been written, rewritten, commented on, and entire scenes have been added and deleted countless times since Valmiki's adi-kavya or first retelling of the story. We as children also have been told the story innumerable times by our grandmothers. And how many more times have we seen the stage enacted Ram-lilas or have watched Ramanand Sagar's Ramayana on TV.....Then why Banker's retelling? I hope to answer that question satisfactorily by the end of this blog.
Narrated over a series of 6 books, Banker has not only been able to capture the magic of the original story, but has also been able to infuse in a known storyline, suspense, drama, thrill and excitement that refuses to abate till the end. The majestic grandeur of Ayodhya, the pristine beauty of Panchavati and the dark glory of Lanka - all come alive with Banker's vivid imagery.
Ravana's cunning schemes, vile sorcery and sheer power is palpable through Banker's words. Ravana hs been artfully portrayed - how he twists facts to gain the trust of his wife and wages war against Rama. Rama has been shown as the epitome of virtue - full of strength, armed with righteousness and as a skillful warrior. He hasn't been projected as a demi-god as we all have been lead to believe, but instead as a human with nagging worries and as a burdened prince-in-exile. Conflicting thoughts about what's right and wrong plague his mind as he struggles to make difficult choices many a times. The books not only tells a tale but also raises questions about dharma and duty, which are relevant in today's times also.
Banker calls his Ramayana a modern retelling, albeit with his own sets of additions and deletions, but which makes his books an overall delightful read. All in all the very length of this blog should tell you how impressed I am with his story. I shall end with words from Banker's own introduction to his books -

"....And now, I pass it on to you. If you desire, then read these books. I believe if you do want to, the tale will call out to you, as it did to me. Know that this version of the Ramayana retold within these pages is a living, breathing, new born avatarof the story itself. It is my humble attempt to do for this great story what writers down the ages have done with it in their times."