Dwarakecha Suryasta (द्वारकेचा सूर्यास्त) by Anagha Prabhudesai (अनघा प्रभूदेसाई)

"Dwarakecha Suryasta (द्वारकेचा सूर्यास्त)" a Marathi book by Anagha Prabhudesai (अनघा प्रभूदेसाई). This book is published by diamond Publications in 2011 and has 108 pages. This book is a translation of original Gujrati book 'Sami sanjhana padchaya' by Dinkar Joshi

This book covers Krishna's life after Kurukshetra, mainly towards his death. It was a span of 36 years, after Kurukshetra, during which Krishna stayed in Dwarka.

Krishna (कृष्ण) is portrayed in this book as unfortunate. He doesn't get to feed off his mother's breast. He has to leave Gokul (गोकुळ) for good when Kans (कंस) called him, as not doing so would have meant destruction of Gokul. He kills Kans but has to leave Mathura (मथुरा) to avoid city's obliteration by Jarasandh's repeated attacks. Then he has to set up Dwarka as new capital. He was accused of stealing most precious gem Syamantak by Yadav's and none other than his brother and his wife. He was aware that due to Gandhari's curse ( Despite all unsuccessful efforts by Krishna to avoid war, Gandhari curses the destruction of Yadav clan for not stopping the war) his entire clan will become extinct before his own eyes and he even has to aid it happen.

This book covers a brief period before extinction of Yadav clan. Krishna tries his best to minimize the impact of the curse of Sage Kashyap (कश्यप), but Yadav's do not pay any heed to his efforts and keep traveling towards eventual end.

Marathi used in this book is very heavy. A lot of words are not used in day to day Marathi. It also means that the same must be true for the original Gujarati novel. But since it's a small book it doesn't become unpalatable.

The book contains lot of philosophy, a lot of advice and a journey towards end from the eyes of Krishna, the God who can not help extinction and death of his near and dear ones.

It's a different kind of book with preaching narration. Author has paid special attention to not make the story spicy.

Read if you don't mind heavy Marathi.

Kamadeva: The God of desire by Anuja Chandramouli

"Kamadeva: The God of desire" by Anuja Chandramouli. This book is published by Rupa publications India in 2014 and has 328 pages.

Kamadeva is the God born from Lord Brahma's desires and was assigned the department of desire, love and sex. He was  the most beautiful male in three universes. His consort Rati was most beautiful female.

In his attempt to help Deva's, he tried to hasten the union of Shiv and Parvati. Shiva opened his third eye and burned Kamadeva to ashes. What happens next? Can he be revived? Will he be?

The book is divided into two parts. First part is of Kamadeva and Rati with his sidekicks, their adventures and misadventures, curses and pranks, booze, love and sex, his friendship with Indra and Vasant, Kama and Rati's love. Finally his death by Shiva's third eye.

Second part is story of Pradyumna, son of Krishna who was Kama reborn, his abduction when infant and attempted murder by Shambara, his upbringing by Shambara's wife Mayawati, his fulfilling the prophecy and marrying Mayawati who was Rati reborn,  his life and eventual death with the Yadu clan.

Apart from the fact that Pradyumna and Maya were Kama and Rati reborn, these two stories have nothing in common. These two stories can even be considered two separate books.

The stories are good. Story telling style of Anuja is different. Really speaking very little is known about Kamadeva in mythology apart from his department, sugarcane bow, flower arrows and death by Shiva. Creating a big novel out of what little is known is not an easy feat. Author has done a decent job of it but even she had to take refuge of Pradyumna's story to make it sizable. In reality Pradyumna's story is more happening than Kamadeva's story.

Sometimes you wonder how much time the Gods spent in carnal pleasures and procreation while they were not aiding humanity or not playing politics.

I was not impressed by the cover of book. It could and should have been more beautiful, considering that it's the story of most beautiful male known.

Read it for a change.

Draupadi in high heels by Aditi Kotwal.

"Draupadi in high heels" by Aditi Kotwal.

Deeya Panchal, an uber rich young entrepreneur & heiress, is attracted towers handsome Karan Ravi and also likes Arjun Kapur. Who will she choose? Her closest male friend & advisor is Krishna Gopalkrishnan. Does this remind you of something?

Intelligent readers would have smelt the plot by now. This is Mahabharat in modern times. Deeya, at one point, realizes the parallels in her life with that of Draupadi. Draupadi made choices that shaped her destiny and created history.

What choices does Deeya have? Will she marry Arjun Kapur and his brothers? Will she choose Karan? Or would she find someone else? Is there a karmic relation between her and Draupadi? What influence does the modern day equivalents of Bheeshma, Kunti, Drushtadyumna, Dushala and Drupad have on her decision and future? What role does Krish play?

Aditi has a fluent writing style. Since the story runs parallel to Mahabharat, she had to invent little on that front. She has portrayed the character of Deeya with vigor. Today's young independent entrepreneur who is rooted to Indianness, open-minded young lady yet longing for serious relationship is shown beautifully.

She has compensated in writing where the book lacks in story. Experienced readers can guess the end by the time they are half way through. Aditi could have added a lot of twists and turns and could have made the story a lot more complicated, but she has preferred to keep it simple and straight instead of risking entanglement in her own web.

I completed the book in one sitting. Recommend reading.