Sita

Author - Amish

Publisher - Westland, Rs 350

Bestselling author Amish’s protagonist Sita in this book is more of a weapon-wielding wonder woman than the vulnerable sati savitri she is portrayed as in the original epic, Ramayana, writes Sanya Dang.

The title of Amish Tripathi’s new novel catapults a hitherto unknown side of the mythological character of Sita into the limelight. We all know Sita (or at least we think we do) as the wife of lord Ram. She is the ‘good wife’ — one who not only follows her husband into the jungle for a 14 year exile but also leaves the royal palace with her twin sons when the public of Ayodhya casts aspersions on her character and her relationship with the demon king Raavan.

Through the various versions of the Ramayana, this stereotypical image of Sita exists in popular culture and imagination. Author Amish tries to break this stereotype and presents Sita as a warrior princess — who is not only a practical ruler, a more than able administrator but also skilled in the various arts (archery, knife and stick throwing, horse riding, philosophy, history, statecraft and politics).

The subtitle of the novel throws you off as does the brilliant cover, both seem to hint at Sita’s true role; that of a warrior, not just the princess of Mithila or the Queen of Ayodhya. The blurb also hooks you immediately as you try and connect the dots, pondering over the poor hapless Sita and her role in this epic adventure.

This novel traces the origins of Sita (found in a furrow in the earth abandoned as a child and protected by a vulture) to her development into a young woman worthy of being admired for her beauty, warrior skills, ability to govern, intelligence, strength, survival instinct, wisdom and pragmatism. It is her journey which is chronicled here through a special kind of narrative which starts in media res and continues with many flashbacks. It is her bildungsroman, with Ram serving as a side note on most occasions.

The plot is well thought out, tightly knit and the jigsaw puzzle pieces fall into place with every subsequent chapter. The pace is slow in the beginning but picks up momentum and races to the finish line. The writing style is fluid and simple, not grandiose as it is in the Greek epics. Amish’s language helps in simplifying the heavy philosophies and the multiple stories that are part of this oral narrative.

Amish’s style of storytelling is fascinating as it reveals one truth at a time and the reader tries to make sense of the multiple narratives and the simultaneous stories. With every incident, he ensures that deep philosophical truths are revealed to the readers who can then interpret it in their own way or apply them to their life’s circumstances. Some of the philosophies are real gems and surprisingly many are spoken by minor characters. Some of the gems are:

“Many people are not wise enough to count life’s blessings. They keep focusing instead on what the world has denied them.”

“Not everyone has the spirit to keep their character strong when their stomachs are empty.”

“Greatness usually comes at the cost of enormous personal suffering. That is the way it has always been. That is the way it will always be.”

“Happiness is not an accident. It is a choice. It is in our hands to be happy. Always in our hands.”

If you like dialogues and romances, you may find the build up to the climax a bit tedious. Descriptions are lengthy, especially battle scenes and sceneries of Agastyakootam.

It was heartening to find not one or two, but three strong female characters — Sita, her mother Sunaina and Samichi, the police chief, who at different times govern the kingdom of Mithila. Amish’s Sita is more of a weapon wielding wonder woman than the vulnerable ‘Sati Savitri’ she is portrayed as in the epic. He not only gives Sita an identity of her own but also gives her star status in the eyes of those who grew up on the Doordarshan version. His portrayal of Sita is drawn upon the basis of the ‘Adbhuth Ramayan’.

Ram is but a supporting character here, emerging as the saviour of Mithila, making his entry at the time of the Swayamvar. Sita’s Swayamvar is one of the most memorable parts of the novel, also a turning point in the narrative.

Amish’s characterisation is superb, right from the way he presents Ram the idealist with an almost utopian aura to his description of Sita as the hot tempered child who grows up into a military strategist and a deserving leader. Ram and Sita’s conversations after they marry each are deeply philosophical thereby covering a gamut of topics ranging from the role of a spouse in marriage to Dharma, law and leading by example.

Some lines are so beautifully written that they resonate in your consciousness long after you have read them and assimilated their meaning. Especially when the God-like Ram speaks — “Marriage is not a necessity, there should be no compulsion to get married. There is nothing worse than being married to the wrong person. You should get married only if you find someone you admire who will help you understand and fulfill your life’s true purpose and you in turn can do the same for your partner.’’

Sita, on the other hand, is given some memorable but hard hitting lines — “Propaganda and myth-making are part and parcel of ruling” — which ring true today as well. The stage is set — for the marriage of two completely opposite personalities. Ram is almost unreal with his high level of morality, sense of duty, idealistic view of the world — almost a dreamer while Sita is a fiery fighter, pragmatic, a manipulative Machiavellian who is capable of challenging the combined might of Raavan and the Malayputras.

The novel may seem like a tome on ancient mythology but in fact, it is as contemporary as the age it is published in. What enhances its charm is that in it ancient wisdom is extracted and then given a modern day context. For example, when it describes the law situation and the war debate, it seems to be defining the present day scenario — “Indians never follow the law. In fact I think we enjoy breaking rules. Pointlessly. For the heck of it.” Here, the author talks like an insider, including himself in the list of the supposed ‘law breakers’.

The book raises some very significant questions as well, like, why  did the leaders of the Malayputras and Vayuputras fightIJ Is Sita just a means to an endIJ Is the next Vishnu avatar chosen for the right reasonsIJ Was the Ram-Sita jodi a matter of fate, a political alliance or a strategic one sided moveIJ Even though this particular genre is not one of my favourites, I am hooked; line and sinker. I will be waiting with bated breath for the third book in the series. Can’t believe I overlooked this genre and its superstar all these years.

The reviewer is a teacher by profession and a writer by passion