Author: Sudarshan Ray | Publisher: Fingerprint Publishing | Genre: India, History | Pages: 484
Buy on Amazon

In the long tradition of retelling India’s greatest epic, each generation reclaims the Mahabharata in its own voice. Sudarshan Ray’s Mahabharata: The Great Indian Epic enters this lineage subtly but wearing the hat of a massive entertainer; that which the Indian epic is famous for. His approach is neither overly scholastic nor overly simplified, but finds the sweet spot that would make home in his readers’ hearts. Ray strikes a delicate but delicious balance—offering a streamlined, emotionally resonant version of the Mahabharata that is as accessible to newcomers as it is respectful of the epic’s moral complexities and conundrums.

Divided into six chronological sections, Ray traces the familiar arc of the Kuru dynasty—from the childhood rivalry between the Pandavas and Kauravas to the cataclysmic war at Kurukshetra and the ashes of its aftermath. Comprehensive yet concise, Ray’s retelling stands apart from its contemporaries for how he tells it: with clarity, purpose, and a keen sense of authenticity. Unlike the theatrical TV adaptation, author situates his work in a space between sparing and striking. The mightiest of deities are present, and they do orchestrate the narrative from time to time, but they are humane, flawed, tender, and with conflicting characteristics. Readers are sure to find them much more interesting as humans than as supreme Gods. Kauravas and Pandavas make and break their destiny wherein lies the whole wisdom for mankind which has been meticulously captured. Their personas, temperaments, ambitions, abilities, challenges, decisions, etc. defines this epic greatly.

Arjuna, often rendered as the model warrior, is shown here as a man deeply torn between personal loyalty and cosmic duty. Draupadi’s voice, though measured, carries the weight of endurance and pride, while Duryodhana’s character is shaded in grey—proud, reactive, and more tragic than villainous. Karna is treated with dignity and despair. Krishna, as always, commands a gravitational pull, whose moral calculus is as unsettling as it is enlightening. While the characters remain the core of Ray’s rendition, much less limelight is afforded to some crucial characters such as Karna, Bheeshma, and Dhritrashtra. A more detailed peek into their characters would’ve been better!

Speaking of the writing, while the prose is measured and meticulous, the simplicity of vocabulary felt amiss; given that it’s aimed for young adult and teenagers. The retelling also feels biased owing to author’s subtle remarks on critical events or moments and that renders the prose heavy with prejudice in pivotal moments. Another important aspect that doesn’t go unnoticed is the Bengalification of names such as Devavrata who becomes Devbrata; which could be due to the translated Bengali materials wherein the book is sourced from, but that doesn’t impact the reading experience however! The inclusion of genealogical charts, glossaries, character summaries, and sources makes the book reader-friendly and authentic. The moral and philosophical weight of the Mahabharata is retained, but not imposed.

In a time of rapid content consumption and fragmented attention, Ray’s Mahabharata invites a slower engagement with the timeless questions the epic poses: What is the nature of duty? Where does righteousness end and ambition begin? What is loyalty worth when justice is at stake? It tickles the conscience, invites for interpretation, and coerces for contemplation and in there lies for young readers – much to read, learn, understand, and imbibe. This is not the definitive Mahabharata, nor does it claim to be. But in distilling the essence of the epic with empathy, discipline, and moral nuance, Sudarshan Ray has offered a version that feels both rooted and relevant.

Please note: I received an ARC from the author but the review remains unbiased.