This book is an important book for India and Indians considering the LGBT community is not getting enough support from the government for their recognition in the mainstream world. To add ghee to the fire, Our Indian supreme court has ruled out a judgement an year ago which was against the LGBT community. So, these people became criminals and outlaws overnight. Author Devdutt has written an excellent piece of information that serves as a befitting reply to all those moral policing morons that roam around in the country in the name of culture and tradition.
This book is just about 170 odd pages covering close to 30 short stories of queer people from the Puranas, Vedas and epics such as the Mahabharata, Ramayana, etc.. Devdutt also established the context of "Queerness" from the global mythological sphere bringing stories from Vikings, Egyptian Gods, Chinese legends, Bibliographic readings, etc..
In the first half of the book Devdutt explains the pretext behind this "Queerness" and its origins from various places around the world. Later in the 2nd half, there are 30 stories that was available from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas, Vedas, from even the gods, etc..
Having read his previous books Jaya, The Pregnant King and Sita, I was aware of most of the "QUEER" stories that he has captured in this book. Especially the story of Yuvanashva from The Pregnant King is a fantastic one. Also, I was well accustomed to the stories of Shikhandi, Mohini, Brihannala, Ardhanareeshwara, etc.. I am glad that I came to know about many other queer characters such as Chudala, Gopeshwara, Aravan, Sudyumna, Makara, Samaran, Alli, Pramila, Samba, etc.. The fascinating tales of Narada the messenger forgets that he was a man, God Krishna is a cross-dresser and most of all, Rama when he was leaving for his 14 years of exile, he informs his fellow citizens to head back to the kingdom and wait for his arrival, but addresses them as "All you men and women of my kingdom, please go back to Ayodhya and wait for my arrival", and Rama forgets to address the Queer people who didn't go back but stayed on the banks of the river. Hence, all these people of Queer nature wait for the arrival of Rama at the same river shore where Rama had left 14 years earlier!!.
These are amazing tales that proves time and again that Queerness is not a crime and it is existed since time immemorial. Author has added an excellent note from the vedas at the end of the book which says "Vikruti Evam Prakruti" that can be translated as "Queerness too is a part of nature".
My Rating:
4/5
This book is all about how people accept the other half to full fill their desire either due to curse of sages or due to human hunger for desire.
ReplyDeleteIt other half may be of opposite gender or of same gender. The out come of which is against the nature.
The Indian culture doesn't accept or respect the gender which is neither of two.
In Indian society lust on same gender is always not acceptable.But when it comes to god
who has taken different form like matsyavatar, ardhanarishvara or heros like arjuna who took form of Brihannala when he was in exile , people accept them and worship too.
Its only about human thought which differentiates the gender which devdutt has clearly explained by giving examples with these stories.
I would rate this book 4/5
Hi Rajesh,
DeleteI Couldn't agree more. Your comment just summarises the whole book in few lines. Continue to visit my blog for more book review.
Thanks,
Pradeep
I have been reading Devdutt's material over internet and in books since 4-5 years. He is the reason that I am a mythology fan now. His has a unique ability to link relevant stories from mythology to current scenario. And that's what he does in his new book 'Shikhandi'.
ReplyDeleteThe book is basically a compilation of 30 different stories from hindu mythology where queerness is discovered. This book is particularly different from his previous books in a way that it has all 30 stories have to be short, establish a conclusion that queerness was part of hindu mythology and we in current age are not comfortable with it because of social norms.
While this book may be rated a 'excellent' for those who are new to hindu mythology and Devdutt but those who have been reading his stuff in past years can easily derive that this book is nothing but a summary of all queer stories he mentioned in his earlier books. So 'some' readers might feel that it is simply 30 stories being re-told. That's the reason I completed reading this book in 2 weeks' time.
I would rate this book as a Good read rather than best. Devdutt has surely written better than this like Jaya, The pregnant king, Sita.
Hi Neha,
DeleteThanks for your comments. You have framed Devdutt and his books very well. Yes, those are new to Devdutt will rate this book as high. Those are accustomed with Devdutt's writing knows how well he can write mythology books. I too am a big a big fan of Devdutt.
I have also provided reviews of Jaya, Sita and Pregnant King in my blog. Keep visiting!