Historical characters
of disputed time periods, ethical concerns of universal nature, power intrigue
blurring the sense of good & evil, misplaced affinity and conviction weaved
around a motley of myths and mythology related to movement and evolution of
Aryans in Asia & Asia Minor led by Amish's hero figure Shiva draws the
central line of Amish’s Shiva-trilogy, ‘The Oath of the Vayuputras’ being the
latest. While discussing intricate subjects of 'Karma' and 'Dharma' (that which
‘upholds’), oft discussed issue of ‘Means’ and ‘End’ (in modern times the same
debate over Machiavelli's dictum 'End justifies the Means') having dramatic
influence on relational bonds and the ingrained capability of mankind to
destroy itself, Amish has skillfully used Upanishadic, Puranic, Zoroastrian and
Buddhist mythological images and its essence in a lucid and contemporary
language. Esoteric has been cleverly brought to the common level augmenting its
potential effect on readers' thinking. With millions still roaming glued to the
breed of 'Babas' and 'Gurus', this young storyteller, through his very human
and romantic hero 'Shiva' (who evolves in to the God mould and reminds us of
the Tribal God ‘Shiva’) has tried bringing the knowledge of ‘supreme’ out of
the Dogma-box approach.
On way it
reminds me of many episodes, images and similarities - e.g, ‘Vasudevs' and
'Vayuputras' sound like 'Alvars' and 'Nayanars' of south, though they are known
more for their conflicts rather than intellectual unison; 'Nagas' symbolic of
various tribes we have in the sub-continent; the evil of 'Somras' coincides
with modern day mining of radioactive substances causing health impairment and
deformities among tribal of the region; threat and use of Nuke weapons in their
primitive form as ‘Pashupati Astra’ (nuclear fusion weapon), ‘Brahmastra’ and
‘Vaisanavastra’ (nuclear fission weapon); war invention of throwing fire balls
from the elephant's back by Ganesh & Kartik in ‘The Oath of Vayuputras’
very similar to what DD Kosambi describes in his ‘The
Culture and Civilisation of Ancient India in Historical Outline’ as a device of throwing
boulders on enemy using the energy of the Wheel-axel of war Chariots; and above
all the passionate and blinding love of Shiva for Sati which let's loose
devastating use of atomic weapon of mass destruction.
‘The Oath
of the Vayuputras’ completes the final web of Amish’s tryst with mythical
characters and images used more to give credence to a fictional tale rather
than any authentic historical knowledge or perspective. However, despite a much
criticized ‘clunky language and sloppy grammar’, the tale reaches its desired
goal of attracting the gaze towards the riches of mythology and traditions as
well as inspiring readers, which includes even boys of 12-13 years age, to take
their history and mythology more seriously than just an anecdotal remains of
their lives.
Amish’s
journey can be summed up through a debate between Ayurvati and Parveteshwar
(the two very prominent characters of the ‘The Oath of the Vayuputras’) on
whether Parveteshwar should side with Lord Neelkantha with who his heart was,
or fight for Meluha as it was his duty to protect Meluha (his homeland),
Parveteshwar says: “It was better to commit mistakes on the path that one’s
soul is meant to walk on than to live a perfect life on a path that is not
meant for one’s soul.” Parveteshwar fights for his homeland. Amish has exactly
done that, and sure enough, it brought him both success and money. What more
can a young writer aspire for?
‘The Oath…’
is a pure work of fiction and not a work on history or mythology. It may sound convincing
about mythical characters and philosophy with which it associates seamlessly,
and that is the beauty of Amish’s perception and learning.
-Mrityunjay-
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