Bhima: Lone warrior by M.T. Vasudevan Nair

"Bhima: Lone warrior" by M.T. Vasudevan Nair. This book is published by Harper Perennial in Oct 2013 and has 373 pages. This book is the translation of original Malayalam book and is translated to English by Gita Krishnankutty.

This is the story of Bhima, the second Pandav. He was the fiercest warrior of them and the mightiest as well.

Everyone considered him blockhead, all mussels and no brain. He was credited more for his size and strength than his skills. However author tells us that he was skillful, agile and adept at all war forms including archery and fighting from a chariot. In this book portrayal Bhima is lonely, sometimes helpless and always taken for granted by everyone. His size and strength become a hindrance and advantage at the same time.

Whenever there was a danger, be it Baka or Hidimba or Kichak or any other, it was always Bhima to the rescue. Bhima was always the point man in the war, the most important position, while Arjun (the greatest Archer) and Dhrushtadhymna (the commander-in-chief) covered flanks. He was the only one to take view of revenge at the time of Draupadi Vastraharan and singlehandedly killed all Kaurav's.

He had there wives. Hidimbi, who was a forest dweller and who he never m meet after impregnating her. Draupadi, who was aroused by stories of war and violence, who always expects from him without giving and who he still loves unselfishly. Balandhara, princess of Kashi who stayed with him for a long time. Author unpeeles the human side of Bhima. He repents for not asking after his wives when he was away or not sending messengers to them. He is anguish that his son, and eldest of the next generation of Pandav's, Ghatotkach is not respected by Pandav camp, despite proving that he is an unmatched fighter, because his mother does not have a royal lineage and that he is not accorded respectful funeral. He even abdicates the throne.

Towards the end author even dispels the myth that Pandav's were born of Gods and even goes on to reveal identities of Yudhishthir and Bhima's fathers.

Author has consciously avoided the myth and magic from the story and has tried to give a logical explanation to everything that happened. He has an easy writing style and has put the things plainly rather than making them dramatic. Although you read the story of Mahabharata, the writer has introduced the readers to Bhima, the human, rather than Bhima, the hero.

Cover is not eye catching. It looks more like a caricature. Hence I was reluctant to read it and kept postponing the purchase. Finally I read it when Ravi recommended and loaned it.

A good book and different perspective. Recommend reading.