Title: Mahasena: Part one of
Murugan Trilogy
Author: Kala Krishnan
Publisher: Context India
(Westland Books)
Genre: Mythological Fiction
ISBN: 978-9390679133
Pages: 264
Ratings: 4/5
‘Ganesha was happy. He was finally going to have a sibling, have the company of someone other than parents, relatives, collaborators, friends and devotees, his own baby brother.’
Mahasena by Kala Krishnan, begins with a scene where lord Ganesha waiting for the birth of his younger brother. This book maps the life journey of south Indian deity, Lord Murugan. Here, in the north we knew him as Karthikeya. Although, I have heard many stories about Ganesha but Karthikeya remained puzzle to me, until I found this mesmerizing book.
Before, stepping into details, I eagerly want to talk about the lyrical language of the book. I got immersed into its visual writing immediately. It transports me into that very era.
Kala Krishnan is truly a poetic writer. The detailing of characters is so expressive; you would not want to put down the book. Narration is simply powerful, touches your deep most senses. Frankly, it evoked love for more mythological fiction out there. I have not picked one since ‘Shivaji Sawant’s Mrityunjay’ that was masterpiece.
‘Mahasena, the first part of Lord Murugan trilogy’ is centered on compelling and moving theme that ‘explores the difficult path that the boy-god must walk before he can grow from a pampered and much-loved child to the battle-ready warrior.’
Kala says ‘Focusing on all the stories in one book was not possible, so I decided to divide it into a trilogy.’ She also added ‘They are mostly made-up stories. And, they may not be the same as they are in mainstream myths of Murugan.’
Entire book goes in a chronological order, and amount of short stories embedded into it as if beads on some rich fabric. In the beginning, reader gets to know the reason behind this name ‘Karthikeya, there was an interesting back story, how Ganesha promised six mothers, Krittikas that, in the future, they would be given charge of the child born of Parvathy and Shambhu. The boon Krittika sisters own, they could read Kartikeya’s stars, draw a chart of his life events, and read his fate as well just by touching him. And after a year why Krittikas would have to return the Kumaras to their parents?
I fell in love with the magnanimous yet smooth writing, and deeply moved by this very incident ‘They were ready, the six Krittika women and six Kumaras, the six pairs of little boy eyes were bright, sometimes their gaze turned towards the sky, at other times they rested on the faces of the women or on the creatures crowding around. Each of the Krittikas held their Kumara tight and hugged him. They knew that they would not see him again for a very long time.’
Mahasena, is not only Karthikeya’s story, it is lot more than that, enriched with amalgamation of human emotions we live by. For instance, when Parvathy looked at the six boys, her six boys, their hands clasped in the hands of six women and a thought runs deep inside her, It should have been her hands the boys held on to when they stood up and tried to walk. And once he is back to her, she pronounced his new name ‘you are gathered from Shambhu’s and my strength and thus too you are Skanda.’
On the other note, Shambhu blessed the Krittika sisters, ‘Kumaras wil be known as Karthikeya, acknowledging that you are the foundation where his roots are held firm. Kumara will remember all his lessons, he had practiced and perfected them all, except one – how to control his impatience.’
Once Karthikeya returns to his parents’ home, all gods had gathered up in the sky to watch the miracle boy, he is the one who would go into the battle and stand against the Asura King, Surapadman.
In the next few chapters, reader gets an insight of his basic habits, that’s how author developed a character arc. His affection was effusive but if he didn’t like someone he would ignore them, one of these was sage Narada, a mind-born son of the creator Bramha.
There is a chapter called Kandhan’s language. Along with that, reader get to know about the twelve matris led by Dhumi, who had been Murugan’s mentors and bodyguards from the day he arrived in Kailasa, arrived soon after, followed by Veerabahu, who came with his eight siblings, warriors who were together known across the worlds as the Nine Brave Ones.
The story of their birth is both sad and amazing. How mother Parthvathy took nine gems from her anklet and created nine women as lovely as the gems, and Shambu turned nine tulsi leaves into nine men. How Veerbahu and her eight siblings were born and become companion of Karthikeya.
The story of ‘Mahasena’ echoed with motherhood, reverence, serenity of landscapes and nature, devotion, desire, faith and mythology.
All in all, I have said enough of its story. I don’t want to give you any more spoilers. It is an experience; it may lose the charm after more description. Read the book. If you are a reader of mythological fiction, this would be kind of treat.
About
the Author
Kala Krishnan works in Bengaluru. She is the author of two books of poetry, He Is Honey, Salt and the Most Perfect Grammar and Offer Him All Things Charred, Burned and Cindered, in which the god Murugan appears in surprising versions.
P.S. Thank You Vivek Tejuja and Westland books for sending the review copy in exchange of an honest review.