This is the second Ramayana-related graphic novel that I have read and it doesn't disappoint.
Saraswati Nagpal's story tells the tale of The Ramayana in Sita's perspective. I liked the perspective. The artwork by Manikandan is really good. And you can finish reading 92 pages in 10-15 minutes.
The story starts differently. It begins in King Janaka's court, where he and his wife pray for a child, are asked to pray to the Earth Goddess, who blesses them with a child. She grows up to be Sita, a girl who is beautiful, wise and strong, as she demonstrates when she moves Lord Shiva's bow. The rest of the story is pretty much where the Ramayana takes off after Lord Rama weds Sita. The search for Sita, however, is done like a back story that is narrated by Hanuman.
Nagpal has taken some liberties. In my grandmother's tale and the ACK that I read as a child, Rama banishes Sita after a citizen tells him that he overheard someone throw out his wife, stating that he wasn't like Rama, who took his wife back after living in the home of another. In Nagpal's version, Rama never says anything to Sita and Sita finds out herself and leaves Ayodhya.
Another thing that is different from the original story that I read is that Rama learns of Luv and Kush being his sons, only after they nearly defeat him in battle. Nagpal's story, which has probably been inspired by Tulsidas' Ramayana rather than Valmiki's tells how the boys go to Ayodhya and play music and reveal themselves to Rama, following which Sita comes and asks Mother Earth to take her back home.
Nagpal's narrative is really good. She brings Sita to life and the gentle touches like 'bhaiya', 'didi' and 'bhabhi' are added, which was not there in the original ACK.
For parents who want to introduce their kids to Indian mythology, I strongly recommend that they get this for their kid. You can buy it here.
Saraswati Nagpal's story tells the tale of The Ramayana in Sita's perspective. I liked the perspective. The artwork by Manikandan is really good. And you can finish reading 92 pages in 10-15 minutes.
The story starts differently. It begins in King Janaka's court, where he and his wife pray for a child, are asked to pray to the Earth Goddess, who blesses them with a child. She grows up to be Sita, a girl who is beautiful, wise and strong, as she demonstrates when she moves Lord Shiva's bow. The rest of the story is pretty much where the Ramayana takes off after Lord Rama weds Sita. The search for Sita, however, is done like a back story that is narrated by Hanuman.Nagpal has taken some liberties. In my grandmother's tale and the ACK that I read as a child, Rama banishes Sita after a citizen tells him that he overheard someone throw out his wife, stating that he wasn't like Rama, who took his wife back after living in the home of another. In Nagpal's version, Rama never says anything to Sita and Sita finds out herself and leaves Ayodhya.
Another thing that is different from the original story that I read is that Rama learns of Luv and Kush being his sons, only after they nearly defeat him in battle. Nagpal's story, which has probably been inspired by Tulsidas' Ramayana rather than Valmiki's tells how the boys go to Ayodhya and play music and reveal themselves to Rama, following which Sita comes and asks Mother Earth to take her back home.
Nagpal's narrative is really good. She brings Sita to life and the gentle touches like 'bhaiya', 'didi' and 'bhabhi' are added, which was not there in the original ACK.
For parents who want to introduce their kids to Indian mythology, I strongly recommend that they get this for their kid. You can buy it here.
Thanks, Jaydev. A happy review from a comic buff is a good start to my day! :)
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