Readerswrite: Featured Reader Review of Armies of Hanuman by Atharva Dandekar, Mumbai

‘Armies of Hanuman’ would be an important book. It would deal with some of the major events in the Ramayana, such as the abduction of Sita, the transition of Ratnakar into Valmiki, and of course, the introduction of a principal character- Hanuman. I was curious as to how you would represent these. And I am happy to report I was not disappointed. Here follow my thoughts, Kaand by Kaand.

Kaand 1 deals mainly with the Battle of Janasthana, and the aftermath of the forest asura war as seen by Hanuman. The first nine chapters deal solely with the battle of Janasthana, which is described in meticulous detail, and is a great read. However, it would have been better, if it was taken at a little faster pace. Had the battle finished a chapter or two earlier, those chapters could have ben utilised for a more detailed account of Ratnakar’s transition, which isn’t much more than conversation between Rama and Ratnakar and Lakshman’s description of his meditative trance. It would have be nicer if we could actually watch Ratnakar get into his trance, read about his thoughts then, and other relevant matters. The Kaand, however, is great read even as it is.

I will say here that Kaand 2 is not the best in the Ramayana. The return of Ravana to power important, but we could do with less description. This Kaand has pages upon pages without any dialogue, and while the writing is as great as ever, the content is almost boring. However, the abuction of Sita IS one of the best pieces in your Ramayana, and has the reader hooked agin. This part is worth reading again and again. But like I said, there have been Kaands better than number two. But I am sure you had your reasons for writing it he ay you have.

Kaand 3 is lovely, but I don’t know wether this is because of the writing, or because of all the vanars! Vanar society is beautifully depicted, and Hanuman is one of the best portrayed characters in this Ramayana, nay, in all folkloric literature.I wish this Kaand was longer- I just didn’t want it to end. Even if it meant cutting down on Kaand 2. More detail in dialouge and description would have been nice, though. But if I had to choose one Kaand in all of the Ramyana, it would be this one.

Over all, it is a great book -as brilliant has the others. I would give it a four out of five. One more gem to add to the Ramayana collection.

Atharva Dandekar, Mumbai, India.