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Asura by Anand Neelakantan



I am quite sure that every Indian is aware of the story of the Ramayana that had been told to us innumerable times since we are young kids. Diwali, the festival of lights, is based on the theme of same story i.e. the victory of Rama over Ravana claiming victory of good over evil. The enthralling story of Rama, the incarnation of God, who slew Ravana, the evil demon of darkness, is an epic story heard by every child in an Indian family. But have you ever wondered that there would have been another version of story, from the voice of the vanquished that remained lost in silence for so long? What if Ravana and his people had a different story to tell?

The story of the Ravanayana, a tale of the vanquished Asura people, a story that has been cherished by the oppressed outcastes of India for 3000 years. Anand Neelakantan has gave a way to the voice of Ravana, who has been vilified and whose death is celebrated year after year in every corner of India. Time has come to hear the Ravanayana, for Ravana, the Asura has a story to tell about the ancient Asura empire that lay shattered into many petty kingdoms reeling under the heel of the Devas. In desperation, the Asuras looked up to a young saviour, Ravana. Believing that a better world awaits them under Ravana, common men like Bhadra decided to follow the young leader. With a will of iron and a fiery ambition to succeed, Ravana led his people from victory to victory and changed the history of the world. We all know how the story ended, but it’s a different experience to look at the story from other side, the defeating side.

I believe that if the courage, the rigour and the passion are enough to judge a man then Ravana was not to be ignored as he was a man of power and will. He deserves one chance to be heard. So if you are ready to hear the story of Ramayana or to put in right words, the story of Ravanayana, then grab the copy of Asura – tale of the vanquished people and let Ravana and his people open their mind and let you decide who were right and who were wrong. Or is any of them, devas or asuras, were wrong.. 

Please share your views on the book through comments as I believe that, me and Asuras, both are open to criticism.

Quotes from the book:
"Most humble men are either hypocrites or have much to be humble about. Success breeds pride and vanity. And pride is the only reward of success."
"A defeated race often uses its cultural supremacy to cover the shame of defeat."
"Most humble men are either hypocrites or have much to be humble about. Success breeds pride and vanity. And pride is the only reward of success."

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