It’s Rocking! Epic India Group back with a bank(er)!
This is just to let you all know that the EI Group, now in its third and permanent avatar–yes, it’s finally here to stay for good–is up and running.
And how.
Over a hundred posts in the first couple of days alone, discussions on everything from Indian itihasa, the historical validity of Ramayana, a controversial but fascinating article on rediff.com, multiculturalism in present-day Britain, anti-Islamic bias in the US, and so much more, it would take an essay to sum it all up.
The new group of members are from all over the planet: Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, USA, UK, Oman, Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Japan, Germany, France, and of course, India, India, and India. They’re all a great bunch, perhaps the best the Group’s ever had, and I’m happy to say that everyone’s talking, some more than others of course, and having a great time.
The AKB Newsletter, of course, is not a discussion group. It’s a read-only newsletter streaming regular extracts from my works in progress, news and updates on forthcoming works, and lots more.
Right now, featured exclusively on The AKB Newsletter, I’m serializing the first few chapters of Vengeance of Ravana the 7th Book of my Ramayana Series. If the readers on the group are thrilled at reading these exclusive chapters, I’m equally thrilled to read their effusive reactions and delight at continuing the story of Rama and his companions through a whole new level of conflict and adventure.
This is not just a sequel, it’s a whole new beginning; it’s me hitting the ‘Reset’ button and telling you a whole new story, as well as the story behind the story.
Those of you who have discussed things like ‘The Riddle of Ten’ and the ‘Sword of Dharma’ with me will know what I’m talking about: The answers are no longer ‘out there. They’re very much ‘in here’ now. ‘In here’ being The AKB Newsletter.
And based on the extraordinary success of this relaunch of the EI Group and the thrilling opening reactions to The AKB Newsletter, I’m going to throw open membership to both lists for an indefinite period of time.
Yes, it will be an additional drain on my time, but after just a few days, I’m certain it will be worth it. I love discussing these matters as much as anyone else, Indian or otherwise, and IMHO, there is no other forum, group or website anywhere that can match the sheer enthusiasm, passion, erudition and insightfulness of the EI Group in its 3rd Avatar.
This is too good not to be shared.
So this is an open house welcome: Come on in. The water’s great! Grab a cup of chai (you’ll have to make it yourself, of course) and jump right in.
I’m right there, in the thick of it, and loving every minute of it.
No moderators–rude or otherwise. No bigots, no racists, no self-promoting authors trying to ‘heckle’ us brownskins simply because our culture is different from their own (like a certain KSA who tried–and failed–to sabotage the group so devilishly recently). In short, there’s no downside to joining the EI Group.
Except for that overflowing mailbox with literally dozens of emails (or a half-dozen or so daily digests) discussing everything conceivable about Indian culture, epics, religion, itihasa…and much more.
On the bright side, though, at least you’re sure that no trees were harmed in the dissemination of these discussions.
Because the only way to share in these exciting, informative discussions, with me personally, as well as with dozens of other like-minded (or not, what’s the difference really, diversity is beautiful too) Epic Indians around the globe, is to visit the Readerswrite Page, leave a comment saying you’d like to join…don’t forget to mention your real name and present location, for my reference…and join in!
See you soon…On the Group and/or The Newsletter.
“Around 3 months back, while browsing through Crossword, I stumbled across a book called Prince of Ayodhya…”
Posted by reader Anshul on his blog at MingleBox
Around 3 Months back while browsing through crossword,I stumbled upon a book called Prince of Ayodhya by Ashok K Banker.The book was first part of the 6 part Ramyana series by the Author.Before laying hands on that book , the only other ramayan book I had read was RamCharitManas by Maha kavi Tulsidas.
My introduction to Ram and his tale was done by my Nani.She introduced me to the folklore of Rama and Lakshman.The deeds of the monkey God Hanuman and the unpardonable sins of Ravana.Numerous times she told me of this War between Adharm and Dharma in which Dharma won.
Nest time it was after my class 10th Exam that my mother handed me down Nani’s Ramayana.I read that book as if I had been given a treasure.I could feel that I was not reading the words, but listening them through my nani’s voice once again.I read that whole ramcharitmanas two or three times, sometimes as religious book sitting by the Temple in the house and other times like i read jeffrey archer.
RamCahritManas introduced me to the concept of dharma, the charm and love of Rama and the love for Hanuman.But reading the book by Ashok K Banker introduced me to a totally different world of Ram.A world which was like tulsida’s world but was quite different.Banker based his book on Valmiki Ramayana, heavily borrowing from it.It could be said that his book was an english version of the Valmiki Ramyana.
Tulsidas’s Ramyana was an work of devotee .It was his tribute to divinity of Lord Rama rather then being realistic story of Rama.Valmiki’s ramayana was a more realistic apporach ,since it was supposed to be first hand account of what the Sage had seen and experianced.Banker has mostly struck to the version by valmiki , here and there borrowing form other version’s like Tulsidas , and Kumbam.
He has divided the Ramayana into six parts.
Visit Anshul’s Blog to read his synopses of the six books.
At the end of book I waited for book to describe the UttraKhand of Ramyana in which Ram banishes Sita, I wnated to see Ashok Bankers’s viewpoint on most conroversial point of whole Ramyana.But Banker steers clear saying that Uttra Khand was not work of Valmiki , but must be added later on.He says that it’s impossible to beleive that rama could have banished sita from his wife.
The whole series transported me to the world of Rama and in fact it brought me more closre to him.I found myslef attached to him not as a God but as a human being ,the mortal whose song is Ramyana.And the coincediance that I finished the six part today, a day before RamNavmi, the birthday of Rama himself.With new beliefs and learnings from the books,Banker brought me more closer to my lord.
Jai shree Ram
Sold out on pre-order! 
Available only from me directly. 
Available only from me directly. 
Available only from me directly. 