Thursday, June 3, 2010

Review Of 'Immortals of Meluha'

Its been a while since I've been waiting to write this review.
To start off with, I'd like to thank Amish for calling in and talking to our reading club members.
Amish .... you're the man!

Back to the book now ...
I saw the book some time back but hesitated to pick it up for whatever reason. I liked the cover a lot. It kind of had a very mystical look to it. You read the back and you know it’s a story of Shiva, but the cover shows a long haired pony tailed guy with neat features and some scars to add on! After a few weeks though, the book eventually landed on my lap.

I started with some apprehension wondering what the book would be about. Being an Indian, I think most of us would be curious to know more about some of the Gods and stories that we've heard so much about. To start off with, I always used to pick up Shiva's reference when people I know would object to me having a beer or even smoking up. So let’s just say that Shiva was kind of my childhood hero! OK .. not in all the right ways!

But after 50 odd pages, it was impossible to keep the book down. It started unravelling some of the mysteries that I'd often heard off. Amish takes us into an imaginary world full of characters that brings the book to life! You're slowly travelling along with Shiva seeing things in his perspective. The mighty Shiva that you know off becomes you and you're caught in the battle between good and evil. Sati as a character is so strong, and so beautiful, I'm in awe of her. The Naga, who in my imagination looks like Darth Vader, gives you the creeps. I was very keen to know what the Naga wanted and looks like I'll have to wait a while for that. There is something to him that makes you want to reach out and pull down the hood and see what lies beneath!
This was something very brief about the book. It is a must read!
But here are some things in the book that got me thinking...
This book is all about actions speak louder than words. It shows the turmoil any person would face if he/she were to take decisions that would affect the lives of other people. It goes on to show that leaders lead by example and they're ready to face the consequences of their decisions.
Amish brings out a new (I've really not researched on this and hence I'm assuming.. ) meaning of 'Har Har Mahadev'. He brings out this concept saying each one of us is a Mahadev. I think that concept is awesome. If each one of us understands that our actions define who we are rather than our words, we would respond to situations as any Mahadev would do. Weigh and see the facts in all perspectives before coming to a decision.

Another thought that applies much closer to home and something that is a major concern is our relationship with our neighbour. For whatever reasons, there are people there who hate us and our country and there are people here who hate them and their country. But while reading this book, I thought, what if it’s the same situation like the chandravanshi's and the suryavanshi's?
Both the sides think that the other one is at fault. Who decides that they are evil or who decides that we are good? From their perspective, it could well be vice versa. Who decides what is good and evil? So is there an answer to this problem? If each one of us starts thinking like the 'Mahadev' or whatever equivalent in whatever religion, maybe there is a solution to this after all. The solution lies within each one of us. The hatred that has been sown will not be erased by some external factor. It has to come from within. Our generation should wipe this hatred/ feeling from the future generations.

To end this I'd like to say on a personal note.... Amish, thanks for the wonderful book.