It's a period of past melancholy...dreams still filled behind my wide open eyes with a tint of fear. From the most discussed Srilankan issue to budget updates to which heroine wants to enthrall with an item number next...I am spoilt for choices on what to write about. Nevertheless, am literally jumping out of this excitement of writing. May be about my new balcony garden or the job search adventures...the jealous eyed lady in her 40's whom I meet every evening at the park!! But an inner voice shouts that my deep wish is to share a few(well..) excellent portions from "The SHIVA trilogy series"(set of books). It's the most recent soul stirring experience that I went through, my silly encounters at new places always have another day...isn't it?:)
The Trilogy books(By Amish):
Shiva Trilogy 1 : The Immortals of Meluha
Shiva Trilogy 2 : The Secret of the Nagas
Shiva Trilogy 3: The Oath of Vayuputras
The first book has been possessed by me from one year now and I hardly could flip a couple of pages until before 3 months(shame on me..). But, better late than never. Faintly remembering reading a few chapters in the second book of the series at a friend's place in Dubai last year, on a fine gloomy Monday, I picked up the first book "The Immortals of Meluha" in a very lite mood.
And.....and....soon after, I found myself travelling(not just reading) along the mythical, exuberant journey of Shiva. That's surprisingly(and lovingly) how we would end up addressing the god of gods..Lord Shiva whilst in the series. The author's unique mythical writing presence gets exhibited with strong depiction of Shiva as a normal man turned Mahadev(God) due to his deeds rather than he being a born Mahadev. Confusing? Err, I too was. Let me be simpler, Amish says that Lord Shiva whom we worship in this era might have never been a god by itself but a great, extraordinary human legend who transformed into godliness through his actions and karma.
And.....and....soon after, I found myself travelling(not just reading) along the mythical, exuberant journey of Shiva. That's surprisingly(and lovingly) how we would end up addressing the god of gods..Lord Shiva whilst in the series. The author's unique mythical writing presence gets exhibited with strong depiction of Shiva as a normal man turned Mahadev(God) due to his deeds rather than he being a born Mahadev. Confusing? Err, I too was. Let me be simpler, Amish says that Lord Shiva whom we worship in this era might have never been a god by itself but a great, extraordinary human legend who transformed into godliness through his actions and karma.
Now, that doesn't mean he never committed mistakes - the author portrays him as a man who has his own ups and downs, guilt and everything normal like a human.An inexplicable feeling arises when it strikes us hard that YES, Shiva was a human but extremely courageous, brutally honest, tender as a baby at heart, cries out loud, dances passionately, fights fiercely and expresses love like no one else. Now, all those of you to whom I repeatedly insist - expressing your emotion is something more than life, that's the way to live by all means. No matter you choose a religion or not. That's what you are born for..born with...(Disclaimer: Am not responsible if you do anything ruthless on expressing and get beaten up ;) )
So... the first book " The Immortals of Meluha not only throws light on India's geography around 1900 B.C but also gently pats our mind with the excellent societal forms, way of life back then(hardly impossible to implement now, but I still wish we could...), extreme honesty and faith in humans and the significance of rivers, valleys and natural resources in our own India. Isn't it a little pinching to know that Nature was diligently worshiped back then, whereas now..destroying them is one of the (wrong)means we have been into? But..salute to all you good ones who enjoy gardening, who fight and care for our environment..mother nature.
The story has a weird and interesting combo of mythology and fiction, filled with lot of factual data which we would have never got to know this easily. There are a few places where you get goosebumps..like..
- Shiva eradicating the concept of sinned people being cornered in the society and marries Sati who is a widower and mother of a stillborn child to explicitly prove his genuineness (Of course, he loves her). And, respects her being a warrior, a dancer and opens up to leave her to live her life, setting example for others. You get a feel - Didn't I assume freedom and empowerment for women is a topic of recent times ? :)
- When the story transforms and makes us think that definition of good and evil is quite difficult because its those DIFFERENCES that are mostly regarded as evil by either side of the people...to be simple, for us we are good and the different ones are evil. If this thought could penetrate humans stronger, there would be no fights...nor any wars. Also, balance of gravity is a must for this world - If there are some who are in strict adherence to time and strict way of life, there should be others to live for the moment and stay carefree..If there are some who follow only grammar, there should be others filled with passion ! The knack of it lies in mending towards the other way, lightening the rules and accepting people around you as they are - no matter which category they belong to.
- A lot of humiliating moments... when you encounter the depth of knowledge in fields of Science, Medicine, Architecture and many more which powerfully existed in those times, leaving you stunned. And the implausible system of neat classifications in the society in concurrence with abilities rather than wealth or caste - in fact there is no caste system.
- Though everyone believes and worship Shiva as a mighty hero, he is still an irritated cranky young man with sheer intelligence, curiosity and humility that shocks.
- We highly argue upon the influence of western culture and it's impact on our society like ways of dressing, habits etc but the most sensual ways of dressing, exuberant dancing patterns, exploring nature and a few "so thought to be borrowed" habits seem to have existed and instinctive in our geography itself(with due respect and beauty). We just don't know.....but talk.... :)
Towards the end of the first book, we certainly are left with unfathomable thoughts of... Who are these NAGAS Shiva is searching for? Are they really evil? Shiva does prove himself as an extraordinary human and a great warrior, but how is he going to (perceptibly) transform into a real MAHADEV(god of gods) ? What other mythological wonders are left for us to know(in the next book) for being born in this great COUNTRY?
I doubt whether I have done justice to the writing, the subject and writing is near to impeccable. It's just difficult to pick the best from a few hundred pages, will try and pick up some intensely meaningful dialogues to share(that made so much of perfect sense to me) in the next blog on "The Secret of Nagas" to get you the essence of it(soon..).
I doubt whether I have done justice to the writing, the subject and writing is near to impeccable. It's just difficult to pick the best from a few hundred pages, will try and pick up some intensely meaningful dialogues to share(that made so much of perfect sense to me) in the next blog on "The Secret of Nagas" to get you the essence of it(soon..).
