Mahakabye Ananya by Bharati Ray [Hardcover]

Some say that the Ramayana is an allegorical tale of the development of agrarian civilization in South India by the Aryans from the North. Others believe that the Mahabharata is a treasure trove of information—history of societal evolution, geography of rivers and mountains, political principles, and more. However, the true importance of these two epics lies in their enduring connection with the present day, despite the differences between the eras described and current times. Today, characters from the Ramayana and Mahabharata are interpreted through personal imagination and desires. Bharati Ray, in her book "Mahakabye Ananya: Dwadash Upakhyan," presents twelve female characters from the Ramayana and Mahabharata through her own imagination. Ahalya, Kaikeyi, Sarama, Mandodari, Sita, Satyavati, Madri, Kunti, Gandhari, Hidimba, Subhadra, and Draupadi are viewed through the eyes of 21st-century women. The light of imagination makes them even clearer and brings them to life as they face questions.