I thank Blogchatter for giving me the
opportunity to review this book. When I
received the paperback copy of the book ‘Kanha to Krishna’. I was sure to read
stories that I have been grown up listening and reading but to my surprise
author Pranab Mullick has its own style of narrating the legendary stories.
This is my honest review of the book; lets see the review with all the details in the post.
Book Title:
KANHA to KRISHNA, The Journey to Divinity
Book Cover:
The cover is very unique which clearly
depicts the transformation of a simple cowherd Kanha to the divine Krishna. The
picture perfectly blends with crisp title at the center with the author name too
in next line. The white gap that holds the book title and author name kind of
serve as a bridge that KANHA crosses to be KRISHNA.
About the Author:
Pranab Kumar Mullick has won many
accolades since he was a child. His love for writing was imbibed from his
grandfather Dr Raghunath Mullick, and his father late Kali Sankar Mullick who
authored many renowned books, short stories and poems on mythological themes.
Pranab has written short stories in both
English and Bengal;i his Bengali short stories have been published in reputed
magazines like 'Nabakallol' and 'Katha Sahitya' amongst others.
This book Kanha to Krishna - The Journey
to Divinity is his debut novel.
The Foreword:
The novel begins with the Author's note
which clearly depicts his love for Krishna and leaves a clear message that God
takes avatar on Earth to set an example for humans that anything can be
achieved through hard work, intelligence, focus and dedication.
The Obvious Plot with a Gripping Twist:
The book takes us in the era of Kanha's
birth in tough circumstances where rains were playing havoc on the cowherd’s
village. The birth of the little one brings with him a lot of happiness to his
parents Nand Rai and Yashoda. His cute face mesmerized each one in the village.
The cowherd Kanha happily lived with his parents playing pranks all around the
village especially with girls. The Gopi’s of the town of Mathura were grieved
by the torture of King Kansa, but kept quiet, as they had no guts to face Kansa
and his soldiers.
The book proceeds describing the
assistant of Kansa, Chanur who wanted to build his own tribal empire by guiding
Kansa in the wrong way and made him believe certain false predictions and
imprisoned his parents, sister and brother-in-law. The cunning tactics and the
political tricks gripped Kansa in such a way that he believed him blindly and
always looked for him as a guide in every decision he made.
The book depicts the phase where
Hastinapur, Mathura and all the neighboring princely states were fighting for
the expansion of their own empires. All took several political pathways to
attain a friendly gesture with the neighboring states to attack in unison to
attain the ultimate title of 'Rajchakravarti'.
Among the complete turmoil how an
innocent cowherd was recognized as one of the avatars of Vishnu and how the
prediction plays its role in safeguarding Kanha is worth reading. The
transformation from Kanha to Krishna is filled with treachery, betrayals,
sacrifice, dedication, patience, and hard work and above all to end the
sufferings of the innocent.
· How difficult or easy was this journey?
· How can one sacrifice everything for
others?
· How do we identify the chosen one?
The answer to all these above questions are
beautifully explained by the author.
Peacock feather in the author's cap:
· Though we all are very much aware about
the Krishna Leela and the stories related to the incarnation of Vishnu I would
suggest that this book has something to say in a strikingly different manner.
· The author here explains how a strong
political mind can catch hold of ones thoughts to grip someone to perform in
the way he likes.
· The chapters are assigned very apt title
and to compliment them the author has incorporated various thoughts by other renounced
authors.
· Superb vocabulary and the narration of
every moment whether it is conversation of Radha and Krishna or the pampering
of Yashoda Maiyya or the war sequences all just sways smoothly as though every
sequence is running before my eyes.
Final Word:
Though the story is very familiar to
everyone but the way it is essayed answering the why and why not for the
decisions that were made at that time is incredible.
It is for all the book lovers who are
looking for rich vocabulary and something refreshing from the tales that most
of us grown up listening.
I was glued to the book until I finished
reading it.
But it still grips me to think was this
the way that is portrayed by the author actually happened?
Book Details:
Name: KANHA to KRISHNA, The Journey to
Divinity
Author: Pranab Kumar Mullick
Genre: Fiction, Mythology
Publisher: Readomania
Price: 295 INR
My Rating: 4.5/5
@Meenal
That seems like a really interesting book. I am itching to pick it up after reading your review!
ReplyDeleteNoor Anand Chawla
This book has a different take and I am sure you will enjoy it.
DeleteI enjoy reading and watching Indian mythology stories. Definitely going to check this one out!
ReplyDeleteThen this is something for you Snehal.
DeleteThis looks like an interesting read. Your review is quite detailed and helpful.
ReplyDeleteThank You Charu!
DeleteI am keen to read mythological books. Going to get a copy soon.
ReplyDeleteYou will really like it Pragnya!
DeleteHow you depict about the book in your words is quite interesting. I would love to read this book. Thanks for reviewing.
ReplyDeleteThank You for your kind words!
DeleteI love mythology ever since I was a child. Thanks for this fabulous review.
ReplyDeleteThough we may have come across the stories of Krishna but this book has something special to offer.
DeleteThat sounds like a very interesting mythological read, I will definitely give this a go.
ReplyDeleteYes the Author has done a complete justice and presented such a fabulous work.
DeleteI like it when mythology is seen as a metaphor and is connected to real life. This book seems to give a similar perspective. Will check it out.
ReplyDeleteWe sail in the same boat Neha.
DeleteKrishna's character is one of the most intriguing ones. What he did why he did and what role he played without actually doing anything make it all the more interesting. Will get this book for sure.
ReplyDeleteYes exactly Krishna is all about how you portray and prioritize things in life.
DeleteThough I don't read mythological books but you have reviewed it so well. Might think of reading this.
ReplyDeleteYou can try this book for a refreshing take.
DeleteThis kind of nbook helps you learn a lot with no stress
ReplyDeleteYes I totally agree that this book teaches us many life lessons.
Deletei like books which create a link to the real life. this looks like a great read. would like to grab a copy of it soon
ReplyDeleteThis book is all about sacrifices and love.
DeleteI am looking for mythological boojs to read. I would get this one and enjoy reading
ReplyDeleteI love the way you have described the book. Would love to read once for sure.
ReplyDeleteCurrently I am reading this book and seriously I am already in love with it. The narration of the story is so gripping. It provides altogether a different perspective to the incidents happened in the past,specially the political incidents are described in such a way, I had never read before. It also provides food for the brain and people who are studying politics or wants to understand the political aspects, must read it once.
ReplyDeleteI always your way of reviewing a book. The best part is you pay attention the cover page too. This is the first time, I came across any such book which talks about Krishna from him being a child "mahanchor" to the divine Bhagawan. I would love to check out this book.
ReplyDeleteThe cover of the book itself is so quirky and your super high rating is compelling me to pick this book up for a read! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNoor
Wow the plot of this book sounds really different and interesting. yes, we all had read and watched Krishan leela stories many times but it would be interesting to read author's perspective on journey of "kanha to Krishna". as usual, your review was crisp and to the point. will surly try to check out this book.
ReplyDeleteIntrospection of past and if it is done for such vital mythological character and stories it makes it a interesting read. Would love to check this out.. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI have recently got into reading mythology based book. Based on your reviews, this book looks interesting. Will check it out
ReplyDelete