The Good Life

Indian Mythological Fiction Books Must To Read

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Feb 25, 2021

Indian Mythological Fiction Books Must To Read

1. ‘Shiva Trilogy’ by Amish Tripathi
2. ‘The Liberation of Sita’ by Volga
3. ‘Dharmayoddha Kalki: Avatar of Vishnu’ by Kevin Missal
4. ‘The Hastinapur series’ by Sharath Komarraju
5. ‘The Aryavarta Chronicles’ by Krishna Udayashankar
6. ‘Karna’s Wife: The Outcast’s Queen’ by Kavita Kane
7. ‘Mrutyunjay’ by Shivaji Savant

Mythology has always held a very strong place in the Indian ethos. In recent times, several writers have contributed to a spate of myth-based paperback novels that have made the epics cool again. In this blog, we have listed down the best ones for your reading pleasure.

1. ‘Shiva Trilogy’ by Amish Tripathi

‘The Shiva Trilogy’ is a collection of bestselling books, namely ‘The Immortals of Meluha’, ‘The Secret of the Nagas’ and ‘The Oath of the Vayuputras.’

In ‘The Immortals of Meluha’, the Tibetan immigrant, Shiva is the only hope of the Chandravanshi’s against evil. ‘The Secret of Nagas’ shows Shiva as the God, the destroyer of evil, whereas, ‘The Oath of the Vayuputras’, is the final showdown between the destroyer of evil and a certain enemy who is feared by all.

The manner in which Shiva is depicted in each book is truly remarkable. This series can make you cry, laugh, and feel romance. Every book is well-written and keeps you hooked till the end.

2. ‘The Liberation of Sita’ by Volga

An impactful retelling of Ramayana, India's most popular tale of morality, choice and sacrifice, ‘The Liberation of Sita’ opens up new spaces within the old discourse, enabling women to review their lives and experiences afresh. This is one of the best books of Volga – an award-winning poet and writer who is well known for her feminist perspective. Leaving the conventional notions behind, the author sketches women in a manner that is unheard of – strong-headed, independent, and content. Beautifully written, the flow of this book is so smooth and easy that it is unputdownable.

3. ‘Dharmayoddha Kalki: Avatar of Vishnu’ by Kevin Missal

‘Dharmayoddha Kalki: Avatar Of Vishnu’ is a book based on Hindu mythology and is written by a young Indian author, Mr. Kevin Missal. This is a story of the eternal battle between good and evil represented by Kalki and Kali respectively. Kalki is the son of Vishnuyath and the younger brother of Arjan. He is a simple village boy with amazing strength. Kali along with his sister Drukuti wants to establish an empire. The only hurdle in his path is Kalki.

The story is based on the myths around the last avatar of Vishnu know is known to set things right. “Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an upsurge in unrighteousness, I will take birth again.” The story is fluid and grows on you.

4. ‘The Hastinapur series’ by Sharath Komarraju

‘Hastinapur’ series is a trilogy consisting of ‘The Winds of Hastinapur (2013)’, ‘The Rise of Hastinapur (2015)’, and ‘The Queens of Hastinapur (2017)’. It's a strong retelling of Mahabharata with a touch of fantasy and fiction.

The first book is told through the eyes of two women, Ganga and Satyavati. The second book revolves around Amba and Gandhari, whereas the third book revolves around the characters, Madri, Pritha, Ganga and Gandhari again.

The entire series makes a powerful case for feminine authority. Gripping and exciting – the book is so well written that you look forward to the coming editions.

5. ‘The Aryavarta Chronicles’ by Krishna Udayashankar

‘The Aryavarta Chronicles’ by Krishna Udayashankar is yet another re-telling of Mahabharata, but with more imaginative fiction at its core. It includes books like Govinda, Kaurava and Kurukshetra. It takes Mahabharata from a surrealist fantasy and elevates it to an actual historic retelling, which actually makes it much more intense. Krishna Udayashankar does a splendid job at weaving the epic tales to create a grand canvas, yet keeping it believable at every moment.

6. ‘Karna’s Wife: The Outcast’s Queen’ by Kavita Kane

The book is a unique perspective of Karna, the unsung hero of the Mahabharata, through the eyes of his wife, Uruvi. In the book, Karna's character is profoundly fleshed out – his role as a son, father, husband, friend, and warrior has been neatly laid out. The book depicts Karna’s immeasurable love for Krishna and the unfortunate end he meets. The novel received good reviews from readers around the world and is recommended for anyone interested in a fresh take on the tales of the Mahabharata.

7. ‘Mrutyunjay’ by Shivaji Savant

Similar to our last entry, ‘Mrityunjaya’ is a classic novel written by Shivaji Sawant. It is based on the life of Karna, the greatest tragic hero of Indian epics. It offers a glimpse at what the Mahabharata looked like from the eyes of Karna, Kunti and other central characters. The life story of his birth, youth and how he was entangled in a web of inescapable consequences. The metaphors in the book are very apt and the conversations between different characters make for a memorable read.

If you are into mythology, Mrityunjaya will certainly interest you. It is one of the most eloquently narrated books and certainly one worth adding to your reading collection.

8. Arjuna: Saga of a Pandava Warrior-Prince by Anuja Chandramouli

Told in a refreshingly modern and humorous style and set against the backdrop of the Mahabharata, this book has been written from the perspective of its protagonist, Arjun. The story revolves around his love life, friendship, ambitions, weaknesses, follies, as well as his untimely death and revival. The author makes Arjun’s character human and relatable, and eventually drives the story to his epic heroism. The book is very lively and engaging and an interesting read for all ages.

If you are planning to make a splash into the “Myth” genre, don’t miss these books. Beautifully narrated, each will leave you spellbound by Indian beliefs and wisdom. They will change how you approach life, giving you better insight into your own karmic decisions.

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