Though the story is well known, by telling the story from different perspectives, Amit has given a different flavor to it. You feel for all characters, no matter which side they are from. When you read versions of Ravan, Indrajit, Bibhishan, you get to understand why they did what they did.
Also, characters are portrayed realistically. The language is very simple and easy to read. He has kept the narration interesting. Pages go by and they don't feel laborious to read. Many times the narration has a poetic feel. This may be because the author has mostly written poems in past. In past I had read different versions of Mahabharat, but had never read a different take on Ramayan.
So, I liked the book. One problem I have with this book is regarding it's name. When you see the name Sitayana, you feel the book is Sita's perspective on Ramayan. But in the book, the story moves through narrations by different people. So, that way name is a little misleading. Overall, it's a good book. Doesn't try to come up with any radical theme or opinion, says the good old Ramayan story with different style of story telling, keeps the narrative interesting and gives reader a good time.
I would recommend the book. Mar 01, Kishore rated it it was amazing. If your brain did not pick up Ramayana and Mahabharata in those few seconds, please stop reading right here and feel free to go back to what you were doing. Both these epics are inseparable from India. And, any kid that grew up in or earlier would not have slept in the night at least a day without hearing stories from these great epics today's life is different, parents are busy and the kids have their own preference for stories.
How many retellings for these epics. Did the story ever change? But, what makes every retelling unique. There could be multiple reasons, but the one that comes on top of my mind is the author's imagination.
Come, let us go further and see how yet another retelling of the great epic Ramayana by Amit Majmudar looks and feels like. Firstly, who is playing the leading role in Ramayana? Rama obviously. Isn't it? Amit has taken a diversion here to name his book as Sitayana though this is not the only book out there under this name - K.
Srinivasa Iyengar named his book as Sitayana. I have listened to discourses on Ramayana and there are many of them suggesting that Valmiki gave many names to this epic including Sitayana, Sita Charitam etc. In fact, this whole epic is centered and weaved around Sita, and so Sitayana is very much correct and acceptable.
We must appreciate the author for choosing this name. Next, Ramayana is usually a sequential story Mahabharata is little different where there is a story inside a story inside a story Every time you hear that from elders, or you take a book and read, the story is not going to change, but can bring different perspectives. That's exactly where the author has scored points. Many appreciations are due to the other for conceiving the retelling like this. It is the same epic, but as you read, you hear it directly from the ones that are part of the epic itself.
Have we ever known from our earlier hearings on how naughty Sita was? Or, have we ever read about what she was fed, what she was taught and was capable of and so on? Possibly no. When you hear directly from Sita when the book starts with her, you are more than interested and inspired to read it.
There is enough humour in each and every chapter - the secret whisperings between Sita and Urmila during the swayamwara is just a hint of what is waiting for you throughout your read. The dialogue between Mandodari and Sita gives many deeper perspectives of both the positive and negative aspects, which we never have come across before.
The belief that Mandodari has on her husband comes out very strong in the author's words. Usually, the interactions that we know between Hanuman and Sita are pretty rudimentary. But, when you read those chapters where they interact it is much more - what's in their heart - a lucid conversation. You will have to make sure that you are secluded and in a separate room when you are reading the happenings in Ravana's court when Hanuman was caught and enquired there.
Such a great wit with which this was written that you will laugh like anything. Vibishan, usually known to be a silent, smart and polite character and Indrajit, Ravana's son known to be strong, gets their due in this great book. Nowhere else will you see the in-depth depictions of these two, sidelined but powerful characters. The writings on these two are filled with lot of inner meanings rather than a usual just-for-a-novel like bare sentences.
Shurpanakha, Jambavan and Kumbhakarna all get their chance to talk in this great book. Ravana's own words establish what this great epic is meant for - everyone is born with both human and rakshasa character, and it is the great mix that does the magic.
Indra and Valmiki also become part of this retelling which adds great value to the book itself. If the author has dedicated a chapter for what a squirrel and the mount Sanjeevini that play small role in this great epic, then the author needs no further praise read this in a positive way! And, there is a bit of ice age too when the squirrel takes the stone and thinks that it is a walnut :- The language that is used is elegant - not very simple, but definitely not very complicated; but, apt enough to carry the deeper and inner meanings of the conversations between different characters and what's in their mind in a unique way.
The anecdotes and the analogies used throughout the writing exemplifies the efforts that the author has put. The exquisite nature of the characters and the environment comes out brilliantly in the same way.
This one is not just a simple retelling. It is much more than that. Kudos to Amit Majmudar for having such an exceptional imagination to depict the always-known-and-heard-several-times Ramayana! Jan 05, Kiran Reddy rated it liked it. The moment i started reading it, i am hooked! The writing style, the narration is very good Its not about interpretation of Ramayana! It is about the way each character feels and speaks of themselves and others. I feel not much of gravitas need to be assigned to the writing.
The characters speak for themselves and about others within the confines of Valmiki Ramayana. Nothing new The narrative loses its focus when other characters speak about themselves Since it's confirmatory in narration it loses it appeal to those who seek perspective.
It may appeal to those for light reading. Jun 14, swati kulkarni rated it liked it. You will find multiple characters expressing their stories at different parts. This is what makes this book stand out from the crowd. Keeping the old mythology in check, this book has very well depicted how the important characters of the Ramayana would have felt during their most important part in the story.
Everyone loves to fantasize about mythology. Our childhoods at least mine have been filled with the stories of valour - be it Rama or Krishna, Ramayan or Mahabharata or the innumerable mythical gods of India. Grandparents told these stories with a pinch of their own imagination and creativity.
This then is Amit Majmudar's effort at retelling an epic with another character as the protagonist. He succeeds to an extent, but I found it a bit of a let down due to some amazing works by other writers Everyone loves to fantasize about mythology.
He succeeds to an extent, but I found it a bit of a let down due to some amazing works by other writers such as Anand Neelakantan. The detailed review can be read here - Book Review: Sitayana Jun 01, Shiv Majmudar rated it it was amazing. This book is a beautiful Ramayana, and, I want to say, it is the best I've read. Sita's voice is fierce and powerful, and Amit Majmudar's talent covers her all the way to the Sanjeevani plant. Love this book, and you will too! View 1 comment.
Oct 16, Kumar Harsh rated it did not like it. Yet another attempt of the Leftists' anti-Hindu narrative and the same discourse that if you can not defeat truth, create delusion around it—a shallow understanding of Ramayana and motivated propaganda, nothing more.
Feb 27, Agnivo Niyogi rated it liked it. Sitayana strikes a chord, not because it has a non-traditional world-view of a story well known, but because it captures the essence of Ramayana and places that before us without any pretence or rectitude.
Lovely read! Nov 30, Siddharth Sharma rated it really liked it. What a brilliant narration of characters from their point of view, it kept me hooked from the start and made me sob at the end. Jun 27, Sruthi Sahasranaman whatshruyireads rated it really liked it. My slow reading month is fruitful and I can't thank nooshanusha enough for helping me find this gem.
I stumbled on her book review and I'm always on the look out for different story telling methods to the same old mythologies. Synopsis: The book only begins from the abduction of Sita by Ravana and goes back and through to how it all began. If you are new to the world of Ramayana, you might need to read the original version first.
I have sugge My slow reading month is fruitful and I can't thank nooshanusha enough for helping me find this gem. I have suggestions for that too. India has it's share of epics and mythologies. Most of us grew up listening to our grandparents giving us rich and detailed versions of them. With hand gestures and props to make them even more interesting. This one took me back to my childhood days. It's absolutely brilliant and may not digest well with people who are not open to a new version.
A version where it was unjust to expect of Sita to prove her loyalty to god like Rama. For no fault of hers. Resonates with a lot of things that happen today. An absolute must if you are open minded to new ideas and multiple versions.
Oct 29, Genevieve rated it really liked it Shelves: indian-authors. The Ramayana has never been a favourite epic of mine although I have read quite a few versions of it. The fact that Rama required his wife to go through the Agni Pariksha and then still abandoned her after she gloriously passed the test, has always been a sore point for me.
But when I saw Amit Majmudar's version of this epic, at my hair salon no less! I prevailed upon the hairdresser to lend it to me.
Sitayana is very different with varying points of view from the many characters in it. This was The Ramayana has never been a favourite epic of mine although I have read quite a few versions of it. This was very unique and gave me such a distinctly divergent impression. Each contributed to Sita's tale as a whole and I enjoyed it very much. Right until the end which always leaves me feeling annoyed! But this book is something I will definitely recommend. A light read with multiple perspectives.
A quick and easy read. Aditya Undru rated it did not like it Sep 07, Pooja Nanda rated it really liked it Sep 02, Amita rated it it was amazing Oct 13, Search inside document. Documents Similar To Sitayana. Saranga Pani. Hrvatski strelicarski savez. Keshav bhat. Meaghan Mathews. Patricia Elizabeth. Peggy Bracken Stagno. Dilek E. Alok SB. Synapgen Articles. A K Riyaz Mohammed. Matthew Johnson. Zahid Mahmood. Takreem khan.
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