"Shanta: The story of Rama’s sister" by Anand Neelakantan - The unknown!
This e-book is published by Westland in 2017 and has 33 pages.
Shanta, daughter of Dasharath and Kausalya, is an unloved child. Shanta craves for their love, appreciation and recognition. But the parents are obsessed with the son that they don’t have. The much needed heir to the throne. Only Manthara and Kaikeyi love her.
Will Shanta get her parents love? What sacrifice will she have to do? Will she be recognized?
A Princess who is forced to become a seductress. A daughter who has no rights but is expected to perform her duty and supreme sacrifices. Unreciprocated love of a daughter. The only ones who love her for what she is are her step mother Kaikeyi and her maid Manthara. Both livid at the treatment meted to her.
It’s an interesting angle. Author’s imagination deserves applause. That is a compliment! I know of many who haven’t ever heard of Shanta, Ram’s elder sister, forget knowing her story, brief as it is. Author has brought his version of her story to us. It’s a very small story published as an ebook. It deserved to be at least a novella.
Why did I read this book? Curiosity about author’s take on Shanta.
What did I like? Author’s angle.
What I didn't like? Length.
A must read.
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