Book Review - Shyam: An Illustrated Retelling of the Bhagavata by Devdutt Pattanaik

Title: Shyam: An Illustrated Retelling of the Bhagavata

Author: Devdutt Pattanaik

Publisher: Penguin Books

ISBN:  978-0670084463

Genre: Mythology

Pages: 304

Source: Flipkart Review Program

Rating:  5/5

I was first introduced to Devdutt Pattanaik by his work, Shikhandi and Other Tales; I was totally amazed of it then. Reading mythology was not so much entertaining for me, but that’s the beauty of Pattanaik’s writing, he has created his own readership. With curiosity, readers started taking interest into this genre; even eagerly wait for his next work.

Today I am talking about his recently launched book, Shyam: An illustrated Retelling of the Bhagavata. I must say, this book is pure beauty in a manner of writing plus those beautiful illustrations. You would be surprised if I say, our author created those doodles by himself.  It makes narration easier, also turns story in a more fathomable form.

In his latest work, Shyam: retelling of Bhagavata—you would get a glimpse of krishna’s life, from his birth to death. Author divided this book into 16 chapters, each chapter contains heaps of stories, I loved how author explored Krishna’s life step by step. Although it is not the first time, Devdutt Pattanaik has presented illustrated histories of two mythological figures before as well; maybe you have read Jaya and Sita. Yet I am sure, Shyam is the most awaited work, I mean who would not want to read about Krishna, a Hindu Deity, who entered into every kid’s life as a first superhero, his small nuisances giggles us, his relationship with Yashoda, made more aware motherly expressions, his most enigmatic love life with Radha along with thousands of Gopis, besides that his angry face in front of kamsha. Author didn’t forget to mention his role in Mahabharata. I liked two fragments the most, the one that unfolds the friendship between Shyam and Arjuna and second one when Shyam rescues Draupdi . 

The thing I loved about Pattanaik’s writing is he never try to show how much he knows about mythology, In fact he creates his characters around humanity and nature, you can easily connect with them. You read, you learn and become a better person unknowingly, His words doesn’t sound preachy, yet you feel the transformation bit by bit, for instance, as Shyam was raised as a cowherd, he had never received the former education defeating his status as the son of Yadava nobleman. So, he was sent to the hermitage old Rishi Sandipani along with his elder brother to learn mannerism and Vedic ways.

Sandipani revealed the central tenet of vedic world, what differentiated rishis from rakshasas.

‘It is the yajana, animals grab food. When people also grab what they want they are rakshasas. But when they exchange resources, they follow the path of the rishi, for it means they see each other’s needs, not just their own. When you first give something in order to get something you are a generous yajaman. If you demand something before you give something, you are a devata. As children you can be devatas, but to grow up means to be a yajamans. When you are able to give without expecting anything in return you are the greatest yajaman.

Sandipani had taught Shyam about Karma, how every event is the fruit of past, and every action is the seed of future. I forgot to mention the most amusing part, titled Dancing on Kalia’s hood. You must read it.

In Chapter Seven, Lover, Devdutt has woven the most delicate facet of Krishna’s life. esp The Circular Dance on Moonlit Nights. In another fragment, titled Shyam Multiplies,  author states that Shyam appeared not as one but as many, Each Gopi, embraces his presence and let their senses enjoy his beauty and let him be nourished by their emotions. There was nothing to hide, nothing to explain. Likewise under the chapter of Shyam and Radha, Author unfolded the beauty of love and wisdom. In his words—What is love: I merely desired to be the vessels who receives what she gives. I met some knowing characters as Sudama, and short tale of Parijat’s flowers. Beyond all this, I got to know his all avatars at one place.

Pattanaik has written more than 30 books; still his writing seems refreshing and precise. If you want to connect to your roots, just read it out; pick every thought provoking book written by Devdutt Pattanaik, Our author who celebrates Mythology. Highly Recommended. 

The Circular Dance on Moonlit Nights

Shyam Dancing on Kalia's Hood

Radha and Shyam

About the Author

Devdutt Pattanaik writes, illustrates and lectures on the relevance of mythology in modern times. He has, since 1996, written over 30 books and 600 columns on how stories, symbols and rituals construct the subjective truth (myths) of ancient and modern cultures around the world. His books with Penguin Random House India include The Book of Ram, Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata, Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of the Ramayana, The Girl Who Chose and the Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik series, among others. He consults with corporations on leadership and governance, and TV channels on mythological serials. His TV shows include Business Sutra on CNBC-TV18 and Devlok on Epic TV. To know more, visit devdutt.com.

Connect:  Twitter | Web 

Book Review: The Girl who Chose by Devdutt Pattanaik

Title: The Girl who Chose

Author: Devdutt Pattanaik

Publisher: Puffin

ISBN:  9780143334637

Genre: Mythology, children’s book

Pages: 112

Source: Flipkart Review Program

Rating:  4/5

INTRO

When it comes to mythology, Devdutt Pattanaik is a well known face for his superlative work. Although I have introduced with him two years back, through his fascinating book “Shikhandi” As he seems interested into retelling of mythological figures but with a fresh perspective of his own.

There are things going on, we generally accept them without even questioning, here Devdutt Pattanaik does a tremendous job by unfolding many truths into most comprehended manner.

This time he tried to narrate a Ramayana in an easiest frame so that every kid of our generation would know a bit about our roots and values. When I started this book I thought I am going to read a Ramayana with beautiful illustrations and from the perspective of Sita. But believe me, it is more than that, no matter what title says, it’s a whole Ramayana written into a most sophisticated way.

And when I came to know, those illustrated figures created by author himself, then I was left with awe, they are so beautiful that don’t require even text to understand the next phase of the story. I literally hope every kid who is interested into reading could make a connection with it and more kids would take interest into this genre, after all they were our real superheroes.   

NARRATION  

Simple narration of this book makes it catchier, it doesn’t seem like we are reading an old story with clichés. The way author tells the story, curiosity would never diminish a bit. His work reveals much more than we expect. Displaying of characters into majestic form that’s where readers hooked with book.  

CORE  

Basically story is about the five choices Sita had made. And the book completes its journey with the pros and cons of these choices. Most importantly author wants to convey the message through Sita that — when rules do not help people, we have the choice to challenge and change them. 

When Ram decided to leave the Ayodhya she told him clearly “You are bound by rules, Not I. I am free to choose."

And at the end of the book when she was with her kids, love and kush when they raged about the decision of her father lord Rama, she tried to make them understand “some people have the freedom to choose. Others don’t and they have to follow the rules, the world is full of all kind of people”  

One more thing I got to know while reading this book that, hanuman was strong enough of killing all the rakshasas by himself that was Sita who wanted ram to liberate her from Ravana’s clutches and hanuman just respected her choice. 

In short it would be the best thing you can convey to your kid making their lives healthier.  

ABOUT AUTHOR

Devdutt Pattanaik is the author of over 25 books and over 500 articles on the relevance of mythology in modern times. He worked in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries for 15 years before devoting all his time to his passion for decoding beliefs of all cultures, modern and ancient, located beneath the veneer of rationality. Extremely knowledgeable and exceptionally insightful, Pattanaik also boasts of the added skill of simplifying his mythological accounts into delightful reads that engage young readers. He is the master storyteller of the very popular Fun in Devlok series and Pashu

CONNECT:   Facebook | Twitter | Web

Book Review : Shikhandi by Devdutt Pattanaik

Title: Shikhandi And Other Tales
Author: Devdutt Pattanaik
Publisher: Penguin Books
Genre: Mythology
Source: Kindle Edition
Pages: 164
Rating: 4/5

When I was in fourth standard, Firstly I met this word Mahabharata... I found a book of same title when mumma brought the school syllabus. After reading loads of fables I think that book really astonished me. That’s why, When I was reading this book “Shikhandi by Devdutt Pattanaik “ i could connect with it because Most of the names seemed known. I heard a lot about Devdutt’s mythological work but first time got the opportunity to read him. He seemed such a knowledgeable person when it comes to ancient India thing. As Business standard review states “This book does a great job putting across a collection of stories that capture the essence of ancient Indian society’s approach to sexual behavior. And apart of all these else, it establishes that Indian society was not coy about sexual attitudes.”  

As Devdutt explains ‘’ Shikhandi was a man trapped in women’s body. While storytellers mentioned him as eunuch. This is not an academic book seeking to prove, or disprove, anything. This is a celebration of stories narrated by our ancestors that are rarely retold publicly as they seem to challenge popular notions of normality. I have no control over political propaganda. I have no control over a reader’s perception. Dirt is ultimately an invention of culture. Besides:

Within infinite myths lies an eternal truth

Who knows it all?

Varuna has but a thousand eyes

Indra, a hundred

You and I, only two.

  

·         Discoveries and inventions of humanity are shared over generations through stories, symbols and rituals. These connect with the conscious mind as well as the subconscious mind. Mythology is the study of these stories, symbols and rituals. When these stories, symbols and rituals become rigid, enforced by a body that claims access to a supernatural authority, they constitute a religion.

·         Hindu mythology subscribes neither to the biblical framework where law is the solution to humanity’s woes nor to the Greek framework of oppressor and oppressed. Life is not a problem to be solved. It is a sight to be seen, and contemplated upon, so that we see ourselves truly and eventually open ourselves to joy without seeking change in the world. Hence, the great value given in India to darshan, the act of seeing.

Devdutt explored beautifully, How Shikhandi became a man to satisfy her wife,  Aravan whose wife was a complete man,  Aruna who became a woman when the sun paused and many more short stories of platonic friendships.

Besides this Devdutt mentioned that  ” In Chola bronze art, Shiva is shown wearing earrings meant for men on the right ear and earrings meant for women in the left ear. Thus he displays his comfort with male and female, or rather, with mind and nature.

At last when you’re on last page of this book, you left blank and a question hovering around your mind  “How accepting or tolerant was ancient Indian society of the LGBT Community?”