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Sati Series #5
Tara
Known as Bali’s wife before she became Sugreev’s queen in the Ramayan, Tara’s story has remained veiled in mystery for far too long. Now, bestselling author Koral Dasgupta illuminates her journey in this meticulously crafted tale. Charting her early days in the harsh wilderness, Tara ascends to become the queen of Kishkindh during an era of unstable alliances and precarious royalty. Her challenges intensify when she is turned into the victor’s spoils following Bali’s demise and his brother’s ascension to the throne. Yet she shines as a stateswoman, applying clever strategies to restore order amidst the chaos reigning in the kingdom. In this captivating conclusion to the Sati series, Dasgupta showcases Tara’s rise from obscurity to royalty, deftly navigating the equilibrium between wisdom and tumult. Her story serves as a testament to resilient strength and an unwavering will to shape one’s destiny in an unyielding world.
A powerful depiction of Tara’s world, encompassing Bali and Sugreev, with their distinct ideologies influencing the rules of the Kishkindha kingdom' AMISH, bestselling author of the Shiva trilogy
A powerful depiction of Tara’s world, encompassing Bali and Sugreev, with their distinct ideologies influencing the rules of the Kishkindha kingdom' AMISH, bestselling author of the Shiva trilogy
256 pages, Paperback
Published July 10, 2024
About the author
Koral Dasgupta
14 books183 followers"Her stories give an insight into the unknown world of creativity and imaginations."
WION
"Her novel works beyond the obvious, characters not just individuals but a philosophy."
INDIA TODAY
Koral is an Indian author, now working on The Sati Series for Pan Macmillan. The Sati series is a five book project on the Pancha Kanyas of Indian mythology.
She is a compulsive storyteller. She writes academic non fictions and relationship dramas, exploring the inherent nature of complex minds that leads to a relatable conflict and unpredictable climax. As on May 2020, Koral has published five books with Westland, Niyogi, Rupa and Pan Macmillan Publishers.
She is the founder of www.TellMeYourStory.biz, a story laboratory led by crowd-sourced narratives.
She consults with educational and corporate bodies on content and communication projects and workshops.
Koral is known for a great sense of humour. But when she is tired or sad or angry, she paints.
Koral is recognised in the list of Innovator25 Asia Pacific 2019 prepared by The Holmes Report, a New York based PR news agency.
WION
"Her novel works beyond the obvious, characters not just individuals but a philosophy."
INDIA TODAY
Koral is an Indian author, now working on The Sati Series for Pan Macmillan. The Sati series is a five book project on the Pancha Kanyas of Indian mythology.
She is a compulsive storyteller. She writes academic non fictions and relationship dramas, exploring the inherent nature of complex minds that leads to a relatable conflict and unpredictable climax. As on May 2020, Koral has published five books with Westland, Niyogi, Rupa and Pan Macmillan Publishers.
She is the founder of www.TellMeYourStory.biz, a story laboratory led by crowd-sourced narratives.
She consults with educational and corporate bodies on content and communication projects and workshops.
Koral is known for a great sense of humour. But when she is tired or sad or angry, she paints.
Koral is recognised in the list of Innovator25 Asia Pacific 2019 prepared by The Holmes Report, a New York based PR news agency.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 22, 2024
In Tara, Koral Dasgupta weaves a graceful tale of holding onto hope through adversities. Tara is a tale close to my heart, especially because I have grown up in a household full of grandparents who were excellent storytellers, and who would conveniently resort to narrating a tale from the two Great Epics when their coffers of other stories were exhausted. I was a child full of questions, and Bali's wrongful killing was one such question left unanswered that bothered me for a long time. Tara answers it, Tara answers them all.
This story is a retelling of Kishkindha Kanda of Ramayana. Koral adds a humane touch to the world of vanars by drawing newer parallels to the ancient story, therefore bringing forth the tale of Tara, the Queen of Kishkindha and one of the Panchkanya. We are led to a forest land where monkeys, bears, deers and birds coexist in harmony. Once two brothers seek shelter in the forest, who are then requested to stay and rule the forest with wisdom. Bali, the elder one, who's animal wisdom is unparalleled, is made the king. Sugreev, his twin, is a stark contrast to him in personality and ideology. Bali believes in upkeeping the secrets of nature, while Sugreev has a deep admiration for human innovation. Tara is the balance between the two extremes, who joins the fundamentals of nature with innovation.
The beauty of this book is unparalleled. There were uncountable moments when I had to keep the book aside and absorb into what I have just read. This is where imagination did not defy the original, and it is truly exemplary! I began my review with the phrase "holding onto hope through adversities", and that is what I believe the story of each of the Panchkanyas teach us. When the ancestors proclaimed that reciting the names of these five women washes off sins, they probably also meant that their names teach us to be firm and hopeful even on the darkest of times. This a one beautiful book.
This story is a retelling of Kishkindha Kanda of Ramayana. Koral adds a humane touch to the world of vanars by drawing newer parallels to the ancient story, therefore bringing forth the tale of Tara, the Queen of Kishkindha and one of the Panchkanya. We are led to a forest land where monkeys, bears, deers and birds coexist in harmony. Once two brothers seek shelter in the forest, who are then requested to stay and rule the forest with wisdom. Bali, the elder one, who's animal wisdom is unparalleled, is made the king. Sugreev, his twin, is a stark contrast to him in personality and ideology. Bali believes in upkeeping the secrets of nature, while Sugreev has a deep admiration for human innovation. Tara is the balance between the two extremes, who joins the fundamentals of nature with innovation.
The beauty of this book is unparalleled. There were uncountable moments when I had to keep the book aside and absorb into what I have just read. This is where imagination did not defy the original, and it is truly exemplary! I began my review with the phrase "holding onto hope through adversities", and that is what I believe the story of each of the Panchkanyas teach us. When the ancestors proclaimed that reciting the names of these five women washes off sins, they probably also meant that their names teach us to be firm and hopeful even on the darkest of times. This a one beautiful book.
July 15, 2024
4/5 STARS
“She called it ‘Sati’. A pursuit to remain loyal and committed to one’s truth and never deflect by greed or guile. To own up with conviction and turn away from deceit. To recognize the voice of the self without pretence and resist being touched by alien assassins inducing cynicism. To express with dignity, to comprehend in totality. To love without reservations. To give and not be affected by the pride of giving. To know, to value, to rise, to shine. To find the joy of life in little nothings. To identify beauty in the mundane.”
The Sati Series by Koral Dasgupta comprises of five books based on the five Pachkanyas; Ahalya, Kunti, Draupadi, Mandodari and Tara. These books are supposed to be a retelling with a modernist perspective that shine these women in a fairer, more feministic light.
~~The Original~~
Having obtained a boon that allowed Bali to receive half the strength of his opponents, Bali was a formidable fighter. He banished his brother Sugriva who had assumed his throne, believing him to be dead. Sugriva sought the assistance of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, to intervene in their conflict. In a duel between the brothers, Rama shot Bali in the chest with an arrow.
~~The Retelling~~
I love how in all the five books, the original text is all about the men, which is why it only made sense to have the retelling all about the women. In the fifth book of the Sati series, we get to know Tara, the wife of Bali and Queen of Kishkindha and also the pishachini she was known to be before Bali even entered her life. Unlike passing references in Ramayana, in this short book, we are introduced to her as a brilliant woman-monkey with a sharp presence of mind and an empathetic heart. We read about the enemies to lovers story between Tara and Bali, which I was not expecting but enjoyed nonetheless. We read about Bali’s death with a new light to it. And we read about conversations between Bali and Tara after his death.
This book was perhaps the most tender in its retelling because it aimed to position Bali as a hero in Tara’s story instead of a villain in Ram’s story. And, it did a wonderful job of it because readers come to see Bali in that light too. We see his devotion to Tara, his use of intellect and his fondness towards his younger sibling, when we have only heard of all these things the other way round since ages. I was almost heartbroken to see the separation between Bali and Tara, two times! While I knew Rama’s perspective, I was so glad to know one side of what Bali’s perspective could have been. And, most of all, it was heartening to read of Tara’s perspective, her journey from a timid child to a responsible queen of the vanar kingdom, a devoted yet individualistic wife to Bali, a friend to Ruma and most loyal towards her family and friends in Kishkindha.
In terms of the writing, I found it difficult to get into it in the initial pages, but once I got a track of the past and present story lines, it was an easy read. I think in terms of the definition of a retelling, this one was just as good as Mandodari, if not better. It had everything to it: poetic writing, an actual retelling which did not shy away from taking a bold view, emotions written with feelings to make it a truly worthwhile read. And, lastly, I loved how the book picked from the last one with a letter from Queen Tara to Queen Mandodari and it came full circle with Ahalya meeting Tara at the end. I have rated Tara by Koral Dasgupta at 4/5 stars!
Full Review: Mindscape in Words
“She called it ‘Sati’. A pursuit to remain loyal and committed to one’s truth and never deflect by greed or guile. To own up with conviction and turn away from deceit. To recognize the voice of the self without pretence and resist being touched by alien assassins inducing cynicism. To express with dignity, to comprehend in totality. To love without reservations. To give and not be affected by the pride of giving. To know, to value, to rise, to shine. To find the joy of life in little nothings. To identify beauty in the mundane.”
The Sati Series by Koral Dasgupta comprises of five books based on the five Pachkanyas; Ahalya, Kunti, Draupadi, Mandodari and Tara. These books are supposed to be a retelling with a modernist perspective that shine these women in a fairer, more feministic light.
~~The Original~~
Having obtained a boon that allowed Bali to receive half the strength of his opponents, Bali was a formidable fighter. He banished his brother Sugriva who had assumed his throne, believing him to be dead. Sugriva sought the assistance of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, to intervene in their conflict. In a duel between the brothers, Rama shot Bali in the chest with an arrow.
~~The Retelling~~
I love how in all the five books, the original text is all about the men, which is why it only made sense to have the retelling all about the women. In the fifth book of the Sati series, we get to know Tara, the wife of Bali and Queen of Kishkindha and also the pishachini she was known to be before Bali even entered her life. Unlike passing references in Ramayana, in this short book, we are introduced to her as a brilliant woman-monkey with a sharp presence of mind and an empathetic heart. We read about the enemies to lovers story between Tara and Bali, which I was not expecting but enjoyed nonetheless. We read about Bali’s death with a new light to it. And we read about conversations between Bali and Tara after his death.
This book was perhaps the most tender in its retelling because it aimed to position Bali as a hero in Tara’s story instead of a villain in Ram’s story. And, it did a wonderful job of it because readers come to see Bali in that light too. We see his devotion to Tara, his use of intellect and his fondness towards his younger sibling, when we have only heard of all these things the other way round since ages. I was almost heartbroken to see the separation between Bali and Tara, two times! While I knew Rama’s perspective, I was so glad to know one side of what Bali’s perspective could have been. And, most of all, it was heartening to read of Tara’s perspective, her journey from a timid child to a responsible queen of the vanar kingdom, a devoted yet individualistic wife to Bali, a friend to Ruma and most loyal towards her family and friends in Kishkindha.
In terms of the writing, I found it difficult to get into it in the initial pages, but once I got a track of the past and present story lines, it was an easy read. I think in terms of the definition of a retelling, this one was just as good as Mandodari, if not better. It had everything to it: poetic writing, an actual retelling which did not shy away from taking a bold view, emotions written with feelings to make it a truly worthwhile read. And, lastly, I loved how the book picked from the last one with a letter from Queen Tara to Queen Mandodari and it came full circle with Ahalya meeting Tara at the end. I have rated Tara by Koral Dasgupta at 4/5 stars!
Full Review: Mindscape in Words
July 13, 2024
Koral Dasgupta's Tara is the fifth and last book in her Sati series. This is also the second book I read in the series after Mandodari. A tale told in an engaging manner, switching between the past and present Tara makes for a good read for mythological story lovers. It must have been tough also because not much is known about Tara in popular culture. Yet, Dasgupta manages to create a multidimensional character.
Tara emerges as a strong female, a good wife, a naughty and lively child and adult who grows up to be intelligent, sensible yet can also be sometimes obtuse and obstinate. Bali and Tara are written as characters who complement and complete each other. And even though Tara is the narrator and the focus of the story, the novel seldom presents her as only a grieving widow who is pining for her dead husband.
Tara is a love story at the same time it's a story of what home is, of brotherly love and quarrel, of friendship and family. I also found it clever how Dasgupta manages to weave in Ahalya, the protagonist of her first book in the series, in Tara, creating a tapestry that seems to have come full circle. I liked Tara more than Mandodari, and if you have enjoyed the previous books in the series or enjoy reading about Indian mythology, keep this in you tbr.
Tara emerges as a strong female, a good wife, a naughty and lively child and adult who grows up to be intelligent, sensible yet can also be sometimes obtuse and obstinate. Bali and Tara are written as characters who complement and complete each other. And even though Tara is the narrator and the focus of the story, the novel seldom presents her as only a grieving widow who is pining for her dead husband.
Tara is a love story at the same time it's a story of what home is, of brotherly love and quarrel, of friendship and family. I also found it clever how Dasgupta manages to weave in Ahalya, the protagonist of her first book in the series, in Tara, creating a tapestry that seems to have come full circle. I liked Tara more than Mandodari, and if you have enjoyed the previous books in the series or enjoy reading about Indian mythology, keep this in you tbr.
August 24, 2024
Mythological stories are full of different views and interpretations.
That's why I'm always excited to dive into retellings—they open up a world of "what ifs" and "what else."
I recently read Tara by Koral Dasgupta, a retelling of the Bali-Sugreev story from the Ramayana. Tara, the daughter of the forest, wife of Bali, and queen of Kishkindha, is a character we don't hear much about. While many know Ruma, Sugreev’s wife, Tara often goes unnoticed. Honestly, I had to look her up myself! So, when I saw a book focused on her, I was really excited.
In Tara, she’s not just Bali's wife—she’s a strong, independent woman with her own mind. Her personality doesn’t always fit in with the Vanar way of life, but she’s determined and uses her strength to help her people. She wants to make things better for them.
This retelling shows the relationship between Bali and Sugreev from Tara’s perspective, and it’s really interesting. Even though it’s told through her eyes, she’s often the one guiding them both, whether it’s in politics or emotions.
What I liked most is that none of the characters are purely good or bad—they all have strengths and weaknesses, and they make both good and bad choices.
Tara was a great read, and I’m looking forward to reading more from Koral Dasgupta!
That's why I'm always excited to dive into retellings—they open up a world of "what ifs" and "what else."
I recently read Tara by Koral Dasgupta, a retelling of the Bali-Sugreev story from the Ramayana. Tara, the daughter of the forest, wife of Bali, and queen of Kishkindha, is a character we don't hear much about. While many know Ruma, Sugreev’s wife, Tara often goes unnoticed. Honestly, I had to look her up myself! So, when I saw a book focused on her, I was really excited.
In Tara, she’s not just Bali's wife—she’s a strong, independent woman with her own mind. Her personality doesn’t always fit in with the Vanar way of life, but she’s determined and uses her strength to help her people. She wants to make things better for them.
This retelling shows the relationship between Bali and Sugreev from Tara’s perspective, and it’s really interesting. Even though it’s told through her eyes, she’s often the one guiding them both, whether it’s in politics or emotions.
What I liked most is that none of the characters are purely good or bad—they all have strengths and weaknesses, and they make both good and bad choices.
Tara was a great read, and I’m looking forward to reading more from Koral Dasgupta!
November 21, 2025
I love Koral Dasgupta’s writing. The way mythology has been put through a woman’s perspective has made ne see things in different way. 4th out of the 5 books, one of my fav one so far!
Also omg, the quotes in this book were absolutely lovely.
“ An amateur in love yet arrogantly selective” … yep, that’s me too.
Also omg, the quotes in this book were absolutely lovely.
“ An amateur in love yet arrogantly selective” … yep, that’s me too.
August 9, 2024
In Indian mythology, the portrayal of women often lacks proper celebration and recognition. In the vastness of Indian mythology, many characters have been overlooked over time. Tara, the Monkey Queen has been one of them. She stands out as an important figure in Indian mythology.
Tara is the fifth and last part of Koral Dasgupta's Sati Series. The novel delves into Tara's early life and her marriage to Bali, providing a detailed exploration of their characters. The author not only does justice to Tara's role but also offers an in-depth examination of Bali, a character traditionally depicted as evil. Through this retelling, Koral Dasgupta provides a nuanced portrayal of Bali as a dutiful king, the saviour of his tribe, a loving brother and a graceful lover offering essential explanations for his actions and In Indian mythology, the portrayal of women often lacks proper celebration and recognition. In the vastness of Indian mythology, many characters have been overlooked over time. Tara, the Monkey Queen has been one of them. She stands out as an important figure in Indian mythology.
Tara is the fifth and last part of Koral Dasgupta's Sati Series. The novel delves into Tara's early life and her marriage to Bali, providing a detailed exploration of their characters. The author not only does justice to Tara's role but also offers an in-depth examination of Bali, a character traditionally depicted as evil. Through this retelling, Koral Dasgupta provides a nuanced portrayal of Bali as a dutiful king, the saviour of his tribe, a loving brother and a graceful lover offering essential explanations for his actions and decisions. The novel also sheds light on the making of the Kishkindha kingdom, the rise of Bali as a king, the trauma that caused Bali to exile his beloved brother and the circumstances of Tara marrying Sugreev after the death of Bali.
Mythological Fiction is often a very tricky genre to write and Koral Dasgupta has done a great job at it. Dasgupta's narrative gives us an in-depth description of the emotions and psychology of Both Bali and Tara. Tara's character is not just a dutiful wife to the Vanara King, she's also a compassionate leader, a rebel and a deep intellect.
The story flows beautifully and all the characters are well written. At first, Sugreev's portrayal may have seemed somewhat exaggerated, but as the story progressed, it became evident that this was a deliberate choice that served a compelling purpose.
My favourite part of the story was the poignant exchange between Tara and Bali after Bali's tragic death. This interaction added a layer of depth and emotional resonance that elevated the entire story. Bali's sharing of his views and personal stories not only provided insight into his character but also filled a void that was present in other parts of the story. The dialogue between Tara and Bali created a profound and touching moment. I also loved the camaraderie between Bali and Tara. Their friendship and Mutual respect add a new dimension to the retelling.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this retelling of the Kishkindha kand and I'm eager to read other books from the series. If you're someone who enjoys mythological fiction, it's worth giving a try.
My favourite part of the story was the poignant exchange between Tara and Bali after Bali's tragic death. This interaction added a layer of depth and emotional resonance that elevated the entire story. Bali's sharing of his views and personal stories not only provided insight into his character but also filled a void that was present in other parts of the story. The dialogue between Tara and Bali created a profound and touching moment. I also loved the camaraderie between Bali and Tara. Their friendship and Mutual respect add a new dimension to the retelling.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this retelling of the Kishkindha kand and I'm eager to read other books from the series. If you're someone who enjoys mythological fiction, it's worth giving a try.
Tara is the fifth and last part of Koral Dasgupta's Sati Series. The novel delves into Tara's early life and her marriage to Bali, providing a detailed exploration of their characters. The author not only does justice to Tara's role but also offers an in-depth examination of Bali, a character traditionally depicted as evil. Through this retelling, Koral Dasgupta provides a nuanced portrayal of Bali as a dutiful king, the saviour of his tribe, a loving brother and a graceful lover offering essential explanations for his actions and In Indian mythology, the portrayal of women often lacks proper celebration and recognition. In the vastness of Indian mythology, many characters have been overlooked over time. Tara, the Monkey Queen has been one of them. She stands out as an important figure in Indian mythology.
Tara is the fifth and last part of Koral Dasgupta's Sati Series. The novel delves into Tara's early life and her marriage to Bali, providing a detailed exploration of their characters. The author not only does justice to Tara's role but also offers an in-depth examination of Bali, a character traditionally depicted as evil. Through this retelling, Koral Dasgupta provides a nuanced portrayal of Bali as a dutiful king, the saviour of his tribe, a loving brother and a graceful lover offering essential explanations for his actions and decisions. The novel also sheds light on the making of the Kishkindha kingdom, the rise of Bali as a king, the trauma that caused Bali to exile his beloved brother and the circumstances of Tara marrying Sugreev after the death of Bali.
Mythological Fiction is often a very tricky genre to write and Koral Dasgupta has done a great job at it. Dasgupta's narrative gives us an in-depth description of the emotions and psychology of Both Bali and Tara. Tara's character is not just a dutiful wife to the Vanara King, she's also a compassionate leader, a rebel and a deep intellect.
The story flows beautifully and all the characters are well written. At first, Sugreev's portrayal may have seemed somewhat exaggerated, but as the story progressed, it became evident that this was a deliberate choice that served a compelling purpose.
My favourite part of the story was the poignant exchange between Tara and Bali after Bali's tragic death. This interaction added a layer of depth and emotional resonance that elevated the entire story. Bali's sharing of his views and personal stories not only provided insight into his character but also filled a void that was present in other parts of the story. The dialogue between Tara and Bali created a profound and touching moment. I also loved the camaraderie between Bali and Tara. Their friendship and Mutual respect add a new dimension to the retelling.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this retelling of the Kishkindha kand and I'm eager to read other books from the series. If you're someone who enjoys mythological fiction, it's worth giving a try.
My favourite part of the story was the poignant exchange between Tara and Bali after Bali's tragic death. This interaction added a layer of depth and emotional resonance that elevated the entire story. Bali's sharing of his views and personal stories not only provided insight into his character but also filled a void that was present in other parts of the story. The dialogue between Tara and Bali created a profound and touching moment. I also loved the camaraderie between Bali and Tara. Their friendship and Mutual respect add a new dimension to the retelling.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this retelling of the Kishkindha kand and I'm eager to read other books from the series. If you're someone who enjoys mythological fiction, it's worth giving a try.
August 20, 2026
The greatest aspect of mythological literature is its power to bring to life the characters who had only a small role in epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Tara: The Sati Series V does exactly that by bringing Tara—Queen of Kishkindha, Bali’s wife and later Sugreev’s queen- beyond the margins of the Ramayana and placing her firmly at the centre of her own story. The novel is the fifth and final instalment of Koral Dasgupta’s Sati Series, which reimagines the lives of the Pancha Kanyas through a contemporary, feminist lens.
Tara isn’t only defined by her relationships with men. She’s a woman with her own mind, instincts, and strong sense of right and wrong. She pays attention, makes deals, thinks ahead, and usually sees the results of other people’s choices before they do. I could find a modern woman of 2026 in Tara in how she proves her point of view and navigates an incredibly complicated world without losing her sense of self. Her evolution from her early days in the wilderness to becoming the queen of Kishkindha and, eventually, a stateswoman wasn't just her own journey. Still, it's fascinating to read as a woman.
Of course, the narrative is set in Kishkindha, but what really made a difference is how Dasgupta made the world its kingdom, so magnificent and fascinating, covering its social dynamics, instincts, hierarchies and conflicts.
I also really enjoyed the emotions in the story. Tara’s relationships with Bali, Sugreev and Ruma, her ideas about loyalty, and her struggle between her personal feelings and her responsibilities as a queen add a lot of depth to the story. What I liked most was that Tara’s strength doesn’t mean that she has to hide her emotions. She can be vulnerable, angry, loving, confused and wise at the same time, which made her feel more real to me.
Koral Dasgupta’s writing is one of the strongest parts of Tara for me. Her descriptions are beautiful and easy to picture, and there were several passages that made me stop and read them again. At times, her writing gives the story a soft, almost dreamlike feel, which works really well for a mythological story.
Tara is a thoughtful mythological retelling that made me look at a familiar character in a completely different way. Through the brilliance of Koral's words, I had mostly known Tara through her relationships with the men around her; this book gave me a chance to see her as a woman with her own thoughts, choices and struggles. I especially loved her intelligence, strength and ability to handle difficult situations, and I liked how the author gave Tara a voice and identity of her own.
For me, Tara is about a woman trying to make her own choices in a world where everyone has already decided who she should be and what she should do. That idea stayed with me even after I finished the book.
Tara isn’t only defined by her relationships with men. She’s a woman with her own mind, instincts, and strong sense of right and wrong. She pays attention, makes deals, thinks ahead, and usually sees the results of other people’s choices before they do. I could find a modern woman of 2026 in Tara in how she proves her point of view and navigates an incredibly complicated world without losing her sense of self. Her evolution from her early days in the wilderness to becoming the queen of Kishkindha and, eventually, a stateswoman wasn't just her own journey. Still, it's fascinating to read as a woman.
Of course, the narrative is set in Kishkindha, but what really made a difference is how Dasgupta made the world its kingdom, so magnificent and fascinating, covering its social dynamics, instincts, hierarchies and conflicts.
I also really enjoyed the emotions in the story. Tara’s relationships with Bali, Sugreev and Ruma, her ideas about loyalty, and her struggle between her personal feelings and her responsibilities as a queen add a lot of depth to the story. What I liked most was that Tara’s strength doesn’t mean that she has to hide her emotions. She can be vulnerable, angry, loving, confused and wise at the same time, which made her feel more real to me.
Koral Dasgupta’s writing is one of the strongest parts of Tara for me. Her descriptions are beautiful and easy to picture, and there were several passages that made me stop and read them again. At times, her writing gives the story a soft, almost dreamlike feel, which works really well for a mythological story.
Tara is a thoughtful mythological retelling that made me look at a familiar character in a completely different way. Through the brilliance of Koral's words, I had mostly known Tara through her relationships with the men around her; this book gave me a chance to see her as a woman with her own thoughts, choices and struggles. I especially loved her intelligence, strength and ability to handle difficult situations, and I liked how the author gave Tara a voice and identity of her own.
For me, Tara is about a woman trying to make her own choices in a world where everyone has already decided who she should be and what she should do. That idea stayed with me even after I finished the book.
July 13, 2024
Name : Tara
Author : Koral Dasgupta
Genre : Mythological Retelling
My 💭:
[12/07/2024 10.25PM]
Author, you did it again! You made me fall in love with your writing again and gifted us Tara's story.
Readers, those of you, who haven't read the Sati series yet, consider this you sign to pick it up NOW. Omg never ever have I loved all the books in a series this much 🥹. A big big thank you to bookstagram for introducing me to this must read series!
I had started reading this book yesterday night and had planned to relish the book slowly throughout today. But sadly, life had other plans for me 😮💨. Today was a day full of negativity and unexpected problems and of course, huge work pressure, while battling my sleep deprivation. As a result, I could pick up reading only after evening and yes, I devoured it in 3 hours, totally forgetting about relishing it slowly. The writing and the story is wayyy too good, so I couldn't control myself 🙈.
I had recently read another retelling of Tara's story and yet my reading experience of Koral ma'am's Tara is soo different and... magical (I have honestly no other word to describe it). The other book was well written as well, it had a more of dramatic vibe to it. But Sati series is anything but theatric. All the books in this series have this etherealness imbued in them that will force you to accept the otherworldly feeling of Indian mythology. I guess it's quite evident now, how much I love this series 💯.
I absolutely loved Tara! This pishachini has absolutely made me her fan! I loved how original and full of life she is! And Koral ma'am has done an amazing job of clearly and correctly representing her and her tribe as vanars (monkeys), and not like humans. Her actions in the face of adversity, protecting her own and her usage of logic, instead of emotions, will always be inspiring to me. Not just Tara, I empathised with every single main character in this book - Ruma, Bali and Sugreev. Especially Ruma.
Unlike the other books in the Sati series, Tara's story was heavily dependent on the others' actions around her. So there was a lot of politics and activities in her story. And the few times she revealed her emotions, it was so raw and real 🥺.
I was hopefully waiting for Indra in this book as well, and I was SOOOO happy when he came. And there's an unexpected cameo of a character in the end that kind of brings closure to the whole Sati series. Loved loved loved it 😍.
Author : Koral Dasgupta
Genre : Mythological Retelling
My 💭:
[12/07/2024 10.25PM]
Author, you did it again! You made me fall in love with your writing again and gifted us Tara's story.
Readers, those of you, who haven't read the Sati series yet, consider this you sign to pick it up NOW. Omg never ever have I loved all the books in a series this much 🥹. A big big thank you to bookstagram for introducing me to this must read series!
I had started reading this book yesterday night and had planned to relish the book slowly throughout today. But sadly, life had other plans for me 😮💨. Today was a day full of negativity and unexpected problems and of course, huge work pressure, while battling my sleep deprivation. As a result, I could pick up reading only after evening and yes, I devoured it in 3 hours, totally forgetting about relishing it slowly. The writing and the story is wayyy too good, so I couldn't control myself 🙈.
I had recently read another retelling of Tara's story and yet my reading experience of Koral ma'am's Tara is soo different and... magical (I have honestly no other word to describe it). The other book was well written as well, it had a more of dramatic vibe to it. But Sati series is anything but theatric. All the books in this series have this etherealness imbued in them that will force you to accept the otherworldly feeling of Indian mythology. I guess it's quite evident now, how much I love this series 💯.
I absolutely loved Tara! This pishachini has absolutely made me her fan! I loved how original and full of life she is! And Koral ma'am has done an amazing job of clearly and correctly representing her and her tribe as vanars (monkeys), and not like humans. Her actions in the face of adversity, protecting her own and her usage of logic, instead of emotions, will always be inspiring to me. Not just Tara, I empathised with every single main character in this book - Ruma, Bali and Sugreev. Especially Ruma.
Unlike the other books in the Sati series, Tara's story was heavily dependent on the others' actions around her. So there was a lot of politics and activities in her story. And the few times she revealed her emotions, it was so raw and real 🥺.
I was hopefully waiting for Indra in this book as well, and I was SOOOO happy when he came. And there's an unexpected cameo of a character in the end that kind of brings closure to the whole Sati series. Loved loved loved it 😍.
August 1, 2026
Tara by Koral Dasgupta
History and mythology have always celebrated the heroes, the warriors, and the kings. But hidden between those stories are the voices of women who shaped destinies, endured unimaginable loss, and yet were rarely given the space they deserved. Tara is the story of one such forgotten woman.
Part of Koral Dasgupta’s Sati Series, this book tells the story of Tara, the wife of Bali, through her own eyes. While we all know the tale of Bali and Sugriva, this book shifts the focus to the woman who stood at the heart of their fractured relationship, watching love, loyalty, power, and grief collide.
One of the things I loved most was seeing Tara’s journey unfold. She isn’t portrayed merely as Bali’s wife but as a woman of remarkable wisdom, strength, and resilience. She repeatedly tries to prevent misunderstandings, sees danger before others do, and constantly strives to keep her family together. Watching Bali transform from the fearless warrior he once was into someone consumed by pride, suspicion, and anger was heartbreaking, especially because Tara could foresee the consequences but was powerless to change them.
The chapters following Bali’s death stayed with me the longest. The grief, helplessness, and quiet courage with which Tara chooses to move forward made her feel incredibly human. Rather than letting tragedy define her, she emerges stronger, reminding us that true strength often lies not in battle but in enduring life’s deepest losses with dignity.
Koral Dasgupta once again does a beautiful job of giving voice to a woman mythology has often left in the shadows. Her writing made me pause and think about how many such women have shaped the stories we know, yet are seldom remembered.
If you’ve enjoyed Mandodari or are someone who loves mythology retellings told through the perspectives of forgotten women, I’d definitely recommend adding Tara to your reading list. It has only made me more excited to continue reading the rest of the Sati Series.
History and mythology have always celebrated the heroes, the warriors, and the kings. But hidden between those stories are the voices of women who shaped destinies, endured unimaginable loss, and yet were rarely given the space they deserved. Tara is the story of one such forgotten woman.
Part of Koral Dasgupta’s Sati Series, this book tells the story of Tara, the wife of Bali, through her own eyes. While we all know the tale of Bali and Sugriva, this book shifts the focus to the woman who stood at the heart of their fractured relationship, watching love, loyalty, power, and grief collide.
One of the things I loved most was seeing Tara’s journey unfold. She isn’t portrayed merely as Bali’s wife but as a woman of remarkable wisdom, strength, and resilience. She repeatedly tries to prevent misunderstandings, sees danger before others do, and constantly strives to keep her family together. Watching Bali transform from the fearless warrior he once was into someone consumed by pride, suspicion, and anger was heartbreaking, especially because Tara could foresee the consequences but was powerless to change them.
The chapters following Bali’s death stayed with me the longest. The grief, helplessness, and quiet courage with which Tara chooses to move forward made her feel incredibly human. Rather than letting tragedy define her, she emerges stronger, reminding us that true strength often lies not in battle but in enduring life’s deepest losses with dignity.
Koral Dasgupta once again does a beautiful job of giving voice to a woman mythology has often left in the shadows. Her writing made me pause and think about how many such women have shaped the stories we know, yet are seldom remembered.
If you’ve enjoyed Mandodari or are someone who loves mythology retellings told through the perspectives of forgotten women, I’d definitely recommend adding Tara to your reading list. It has only made me more excited to continue reading the rest of the Sati Series.
July 28, 2024
*Tara* by Koral Dasgupta, the concluding installment of the *Sati* series, offers a fresh and insightful perspective on Tara, a figure often overshadowed in the *Ramayana*. Known mainly as the wife of Bali and later Sugreev, Tara's story is richly expanded, depicting her rise from obscurity to royalty in Kishkindha. The novel highlights Tara's resilience and intelligence as she navigates a world marked by political intrigue and personal betrayal, especially after Bali's demise and Sugreev's ascendancy.
Set in the vibrant backdrop of the Vanara kingdom, the book explores Tara's unique abilities, including her communication with animals, and her role as a peacemaker amidst the kingdom's tumultuous politics. Dasgupta's portrayal of Tara as a strong and wise stateswoman challenges traditional gender roles and brings a new depth to the character.
The narrative is beautifully written, with vivid descriptions and a deep exploration of the characters' inner lives. The story’s strength lies in its nuanced portrayal of Tara’s journey, reflecting broader themes of power, love, and societal norms. Dasgupta uses rich dialogues to progress the story, making the ancient tales resonate with contemporary issues, particularly regarding women's agency and empowerment.
A standout moment in the book is the conversation between Tara and Ahalya towards the end, which provides a poignant reflection on their lives and the choices they made. This dialogue offers a fitting and beautiful conclusion to the series, encapsulating the essence of the *Sati* series' focus on the untold stories of women from Indian epics.
*Tara* is not just a retelling but a reimagining that celebrates the complexities and strengths of its female characters. It's a must-read for those interested in mythology, feminist literature, and beautifully crafted stories that challenge traditional narratives and bring new insights into familiar tales.
Set in the vibrant backdrop of the Vanara kingdom, the book explores Tara's unique abilities, including her communication with animals, and her role as a peacemaker amidst the kingdom's tumultuous politics. Dasgupta's portrayal of Tara as a strong and wise stateswoman challenges traditional gender roles and brings a new depth to the character.
The narrative is beautifully written, with vivid descriptions and a deep exploration of the characters' inner lives. The story’s strength lies in its nuanced portrayal of Tara’s journey, reflecting broader themes of power, love, and societal norms. Dasgupta uses rich dialogues to progress the story, making the ancient tales resonate with contemporary issues, particularly regarding women's agency and empowerment.
A standout moment in the book is the conversation between Tara and Ahalya towards the end, which provides a poignant reflection on their lives and the choices they made. This dialogue offers a fitting and beautiful conclusion to the series, encapsulating the essence of the *Sati* series' focus on the untold stories of women from Indian epics.
*Tara* is not just a retelling but a reimagining that celebrates the complexities and strengths of its female characters. It's a must-read for those interested in mythology, feminist literature, and beautifully crafted stories that challenge traditional narratives and bring new insights into familiar tales.
August 2, 2024
𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓪 𝓫𝔂 𝓚𝓸𝓻𝓪𝓵 𝓓𝓪𝓼𝓰𝓾𝓹𝓽𝓪
𝔸𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜 :- Tara is the vanar Queen of the forest Kingdom Kishkinda. This story is from Ramayana a Hindu epic mythology. The story follows Tara's journey through the politics of vanar kingdom, her unwavering strength and a perspective angle through which we see the female strength in this epic historic setting.
𝕄𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 :- This is my first read from the sati series and I'm so glad I started with it. I'd have loved to read it in chronological order but guys I had to fight my mom to get my hands on this one; it's not a surprise my mom is already a huge fan of this series!
The author has selected some extraordinary characters from Indian mythologies. These women are well known but often they're still mysterious in comparison to their male counterparts. And to be honest I have never truly noticed Tara's character in the grand scheme of things in Ramayana.
My grandfather and my mother who used to tell me these tales as bed time stories often exerted the importance of female characters in the political aspects of these epics but to my shock I never noticed Tara which only shows how much I loved reading this book it brought back all my childhood memories with new insights.
This book is so powerfully written in the simplest way. The book showcases Tara's strengths, her deep insights on politics and the pivotal role she played in the epic. Indian mythologies are so complex and have an abundance of stories and characters that teach us something meaningful and I'm so glad the author brought the spotlight on some such characters.
Overall a beautifully well written book. I'm in awe at how epic our mythologies are and I rediscovered my love for them. Thank you for this amazing book @koraldasgupta @panmacmillanindia I'm excited to read the whole series.
𝔸𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜 :- Tara is the vanar Queen of the forest Kingdom Kishkinda. This story is from Ramayana a Hindu epic mythology. The story follows Tara's journey through the politics of vanar kingdom, her unwavering strength and a perspective angle through which we see the female strength in this epic historic setting.
𝕄𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 :- This is my first read from the sati series and I'm so glad I started with it. I'd have loved to read it in chronological order but guys I had to fight my mom to get my hands on this one; it's not a surprise my mom is already a huge fan of this series!
The author has selected some extraordinary characters from Indian mythologies. These women are well known but often they're still mysterious in comparison to their male counterparts. And to be honest I have never truly noticed Tara's character in the grand scheme of things in Ramayana.
My grandfather and my mother who used to tell me these tales as bed time stories often exerted the importance of female characters in the political aspects of these epics but to my shock I never noticed Tara which only shows how much I loved reading this book it brought back all my childhood memories with new insights.
This book is so powerfully written in the simplest way. The book showcases Tara's strengths, her deep insights on politics and the pivotal role she played in the epic. Indian mythologies are so complex and have an abundance of stories and characters that teach us something meaningful and I'm so glad the author brought the spotlight on some such characters.
Overall a beautifully well written book. I'm in awe at how epic our mythologies are and I rediscovered my love for them. Thank you for this amazing book @koraldasgupta @panmacmillanindia I'm excited to read the whole series.
August 16, 2024
Book - Tara The Sati Series V
Author -Koral Dasgupta
Publisher - Panmacmillanindia
Page -314
Rating- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
So this is the fifth book of the Sati series. And it will tell you the unknown story of Tara ,the Vanar queen of kishkindha, wife of Vanar king Bali, and mother of Angad .
Tara was the queen of the forest and the epitome of purity. The forest used to dance with the rhythm of her words , the birds used to sing for her .
Her husband Bali had a strong belief in animal wisdom and on the other hand Balis ' brother Sugreev admired human rationality . But Tara the queen with brain had always maintained tranquility between these two . Tara's friend Ruma was the wife of Sugreev. The bond between Tara ,Ruma and Sugreev was sooooo beautiful to witness.
Everything was so full of joy and life until the death of Vanar King Bali . Tara had to take the toughest dicision of her life in her weakest moment because it was the last wish of Bali .
This book was an emotional rollercoaster for me .It felt like I am watching the life of Tara infront of my eyes. The way she nourished her every relation, the way she handled the most difficult time of her life is so heart breaking to see . I am out of my words to praise Koral ma'am from making Tara alive infront of our eyes . To be honest I have never imagined what could be Tara's perspective . We have always overlooked such characters like Tara but all thanks to Koral ma'am for showing their point of view through her writing. The last few pages of this book, the one and one conversation between Tara and Sugreev and Tara and Indra dev (father of Bali) made me cry like a baby .
If you are a seeker of mythological fiction just go for it without thinking twice. Each part of this series (Kunti , Ahalya, Draupadi , Mandodari , Tara) will leave an unforgettable remark on your soul .
Author -Koral Dasgupta
Publisher - Panmacmillanindia
Page -314
Rating- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
So this is the fifth book of the Sati series. And it will tell you the unknown story of Tara ,the Vanar queen of kishkindha, wife of Vanar king Bali, and mother of Angad .
Tara was the queen of the forest and the epitome of purity. The forest used to dance with the rhythm of her words , the birds used to sing for her .
Her husband Bali had a strong belief in animal wisdom and on the other hand Balis ' brother Sugreev admired human rationality . But Tara the queen with brain had always maintained tranquility between these two . Tara's friend Ruma was the wife of Sugreev. The bond between Tara ,Ruma and Sugreev was sooooo beautiful to witness.
Everything was so full of joy and life until the death of Vanar King Bali . Tara had to take the toughest dicision of her life in her weakest moment because it was the last wish of Bali .
This book was an emotional rollercoaster for me .It felt like I am watching the life of Tara infront of my eyes. The way she nourished her every relation, the way she handled the most difficult time of her life is so heart breaking to see . I am out of my words to praise Koral ma'am from making Tara alive infront of our eyes . To be honest I have never imagined what could be Tara's perspective . We have always overlooked such characters like Tara but all thanks to Koral ma'am for showing their point of view through her writing. The last few pages of this book, the one and one conversation between Tara and Sugreev and Tara and Indra dev (father of Bali) made me cry like a baby .
If you are a seeker of mythological fiction just go for it without thinking twice. Each part of this series (Kunti , Ahalya, Draupadi , Mandodari , Tara) will leave an unforgettable remark on your soul .
August 17, 2024
When it comes to my favourite genre, mythological fiction tops the list. This was my second read in the Sati Series. first I have read Mandodari then this book Tara. I loved the writing style of the author, being simple and engaging.
~ 'Every tribe has its own malicious pishachini. She is ours'. Tara was the Vanar Queen of Kishkindha and Wife of king Bali. The story revolves around the protagonist Tara. Other main characters were Twin brothers Bali and Sugreev, Ruma, Sugreev's Wife. The Setting of the book was all about the forest and wildlife. I loved the calmness this book provides to the readers. The long narratives were so engaging and interesting. Tara's character was so bold and intelligent. There were different themes of love, brotherhood, marriage, conflicts, war, friendship and many more. The book cover was no doubt so beautifully designed. Being a reader I always love to read books with feminine sensibility, this was the main reason for me loving this sati series. The conversations Between Tara and Sita touched my heart. The book starts with an interesting letter written by Tara to Queen Mandodari. The author has put all her efforts into writing these retelling stories of the panch kanyas of Hindu Mythology Ahalya, Kunti, Draupadi, Mandodari and Tara. She has followed the conception of 'purity'.
'Relationships don't make characters, actions do'.
'No friendship should shield acts of crime'.
The part where Bali and Sugreev fought was so heart wrenching. Such retellings made readers understand the Ramayana in a better way. The most adorable thing I found in the author's works is that she always highlighted female characters and explained their perspectives to the readers. The title was based on the protagonist Tara. In the near future I would love to pick other books from the Sati Series. I really enjoyed reading this one.
~ 'Every tribe has its own malicious pishachini. She is ours'. Tara was the Vanar Queen of Kishkindha and Wife of king Bali. The story revolves around the protagonist Tara. Other main characters were Twin brothers Bali and Sugreev, Ruma, Sugreev's Wife. The Setting of the book was all about the forest and wildlife. I loved the calmness this book provides to the readers. The long narratives were so engaging and interesting. Tara's character was so bold and intelligent. There were different themes of love, brotherhood, marriage, conflicts, war, friendship and many more. The book cover was no doubt so beautifully designed. Being a reader I always love to read books with feminine sensibility, this was the main reason for me loving this sati series. The conversations Between Tara and Sita touched my heart. The book starts with an interesting letter written by Tara to Queen Mandodari. The author has put all her efforts into writing these retelling stories of the panch kanyas of Hindu Mythology Ahalya, Kunti, Draupadi, Mandodari and Tara. She has followed the conception of 'purity'.
'Relationships don't make characters, actions do'.
'No friendship should shield acts of crime'.
The part where Bali and Sugreev fought was so heart wrenching. Such retellings made readers understand the Ramayana in a better way. The most adorable thing I found in the author's works is that she always highlighted female characters and explained their perspectives to the readers. The title was based on the protagonist Tara. In the near future I would love to pick other books from the Sati Series. I really enjoyed reading this one.
November 3, 2024
Tara, part of the Sati series by Koral Dasgupta is a fascinating exploration of a character often overshadowed in the epic tales of Indian mythology. Tara, the wife of Bali, comes to life in this novel as a figure of strength, resilience, and wisdom.
The novel unfolds the story of Tara, focusing on her life as the devoted wife of Bali, the monkey king from the Ramayana. Bali, known for his unparalleled strength, is challenged by his brother Sugriva and ultimately killed by Rama. This event sets the stage for Tara’s journey of grief, courage, and political acumen as she navigates the aftermath of Bali's death and the power struggles that ensue.
Koral Dasgupta masterfully portrays Tara as a complex and multi-faceted character. Far from being a mere supporting character in the grander narrative of the Ramayana, Tara emerges as a central figure whose intelligence and emotional depth shine through. Her interactions with Bali, Sugriva, and Rama are portrayed with nuance, revealing her inner conflicts and her strength in adversity.
Dasgupta’s writing is both poetic and accessible, capturing the essence of the mythical world while making Tara's story resonate with contemporary readers. The descriptive language and vivid imagery bring the settings and characters to life, immersing readers in the lush landscapes of ancient India.
This book delves into themes of loyalty, love, power, and the role of women in mythology and society. Through Tara's eyes, the novel examines the dynamics of familial and political relationships, the burdens of duty, and the quest for justice. Dasgupta also explores the emotional and psychological dimensions of Tara's character, making her journey one of personal empowerment and resilience.
Read more about the book here:
https://theindianbookclub.com/readers...
The novel unfolds the story of Tara, focusing on her life as the devoted wife of Bali, the monkey king from the Ramayana. Bali, known for his unparalleled strength, is challenged by his brother Sugriva and ultimately killed by Rama. This event sets the stage for Tara’s journey of grief, courage, and political acumen as she navigates the aftermath of Bali's death and the power struggles that ensue.
Koral Dasgupta masterfully portrays Tara as a complex and multi-faceted character. Far from being a mere supporting character in the grander narrative of the Ramayana, Tara emerges as a central figure whose intelligence and emotional depth shine through. Her interactions with Bali, Sugriva, and Rama are portrayed with nuance, revealing her inner conflicts and her strength in adversity.
Dasgupta’s writing is both poetic and accessible, capturing the essence of the mythical world while making Tara's story resonate with contemporary readers. The descriptive language and vivid imagery bring the settings and characters to life, immersing readers in the lush landscapes of ancient India.
This book delves into themes of loyalty, love, power, and the role of women in mythology and society. Through Tara's eyes, the novel examines the dynamics of familial and political relationships, the burdens of duty, and the quest for justice. Dasgupta also explores the emotional and psychological dimensions of Tara's character, making her journey one of personal empowerment and resilience.
Read more about the book here:
https://theindianbookclub.com/readers...
October 25, 2025
Review time:
Tara: By Koral Dasgupta
In ‘Tara’, Koral introduces us to Kishkhinda kingdom and their way of life, drawing us into a mesmerizing saga. Through powerful and vivid storytelling, Koral introduces us to Tara, the monkey queen of the kingdom of Kishkindha and the mighty Bali, Sugreev, and Ruma, along with Maa Anjani and Hanuman.
The story is filled with drama, suspense and layers of truth. With each chapter, a truth unfolds. Tara’s conversations with the people in her kingdom, her love for the kingdom and her loyalty towards them, makes us fall in love with Tara more. As each truth unfolds, you see Tara grow into a beautiful and mature woman; especially after Bali’s death.
The hatred that turns into love for Bali. And the chapters in which she has conversations with Bali just shows how the love transforms her into an independent and strong woman.
We see Tara as a daughter, wife, friend and a mother and how every shade of her blends with who she is.
All the characters are so well written that they add a lot of depth to the storyline. We see Maa Anjani talking about Hanuman’s adventure, Hanuman who adds value to their lives, the bond Tara shared with Sugreev, and the unity of the kingdom.
In all Tara is an emotional, powerful and a stunning read. This has been the best reads amongst all the 5 books for me. The characters which I weren’t aware of at all, made me understand and love this book more. @koraldasgupta has done an amazing job in writing this amazing book.
The climax of this has been the best part for me. 🙃
A solid 5/5 from me for this one!
And with this, we come to an end of Sati series.
I would highly recommend reading all the 5 books. 😊
[Myth, Mythology, Mythological Reads, Indian Mythology, Indian History, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Indian Kingdoms, Love, Drama, Retelling, Good Reads, Books of Mythology]
Tara: By Koral Dasgupta
In ‘Tara’, Koral introduces us to Kishkhinda kingdom and their way of life, drawing us into a mesmerizing saga. Through powerful and vivid storytelling, Koral introduces us to Tara, the monkey queen of the kingdom of Kishkindha and the mighty Bali, Sugreev, and Ruma, along with Maa Anjani and Hanuman.
The story is filled with drama, suspense and layers of truth. With each chapter, a truth unfolds. Tara’s conversations with the people in her kingdom, her love for the kingdom and her loyalty towards them, makes us fall in love with Tara more. As each truth unfolds, you see Tara grow into a beautiful and mature woman; especially after Bali’s death.
The hatred that turns into love for Bali. And the chapters in which she has conversations with Bali just shows how the love transforms her into an independent and strong woman.
We see Tara as a daughter, wife, friend and a mother and how every shade of her blends with who she is.
All the characters are so well written that they add a lot of depth to the storyline. We see Maa Anjani talking about Hanuman’s adventure, Hanuman who adds value to their lives, the bond Tara shared with Sugreev, and the unity of the kingdom.
In all Tara is an emotional, powerful and a stunning read. This has been the best reads amongst all the 5 books for me. The characters which I weren’t aware of at all, made me understand and love this book more. @koraldasgupta has done an amazing job in writing this amazing book.
The climax of this has been the best part for me. 🙃
A solid 5/5 from me for this one!
And with this, we come to an end of Sati series.
I would highly recommend reading all the 5 books. 😊
[Myth, Mythology, Mythological Reads, Indian Mythology, Indian History, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Indian Kingdoms, Love, Drama, Retelling, Good Reads, Books of Mythology]
August 9, 2024
Ahalya, Kunti, Draupadi, Mandodari, and Tara- the Pancha Kanyas from the Hindu Epics. In this five-book series from the Hindu epic, the author initially acquainted her readers with female cognizance in mythology, which quickly transforms into intimacy.
Tara- the monkey queen of Kishkindha, Bali’s wife, Sugreev’s friend, and Angad’s mother. Her story has been vague in the legendary tales of Ramayana, but this book will lead your way to the role of animal societies in it. From being the notorious disappointing daughter to her father to falling into a marriage of political alliance, falling in love, developing a friendship, and when one incident changes everything, she becomes the queen of her forest kingdom. The book is a perfect balance between comedy & tragedy, joy & pain, stupidity & wisdom, dispute & negotiation, and loyalty & politics of humans and animals.
Dwindling between her husband Bali’s firm belief in animal wisdom and Sugreev’s likeness for human rationality, Tara who has a secret bond with her forest kingdom, steers her way to peace & dignity. The link between both realms, humans, and animals will bring a devastating conclusion to Tara’s joyful life, where she has to choose the next step even before comprehending the hard blow.
Her friendship with Sugreev & Ruma, her constant love & hate relationship with Bali, her acquaintance with Sita, the conversations she had with Bali after he died, Indra’s role from another realm, the jealousy that was a part of her whole married life, and the finale to that is shocking. This final part of Koral Dasgupta’s stunning Sati Series like all others is emotional and hooking, but its ending is exceptional.
P.S: It was hard to create a picture of Tara as a Monkey Queen, watching too many myth shows has limited my imagination to male monkeys only.
Tara- the monkey queen of Kishkindha, Bali’s wife, Sugreev’s friend, and Angad’s mother. Her story has been vague in the legendary tales of Ramayana, but this book will lead your way to the role of animal societies in it. From being the notorious disappointing daughter to her father to falling into a marriage of political alliance, falling in love, developing a friendship, and when one incident changes everything, she becomes the queen of her forest kingdom. The book is a perfect balance between comedy & tragedy, joy & pain, stupidity & wisdom, dispute & negotiation, and loyalty & politics of humans and animals.
Dwindling between her husband Bali’s firm belief in animal wisdom and Sugreev’s likeness for human rationality, Tara who has a secret bond with her forest kingdom, steers her way to peace & dignity. The link between both realms, humans, and animals will bring a devastating conclusion to Tara’s joyful life, where she has to choose the next step even before comprehending the hard blow.
Her friendship with Sugreev & Ruma, her constant love & hate relationship with Bali, her acquaintance with Sita, the conversations she had with Bali after he died, Indra’s role from another realm, the jealousy that was a part of her whole married life, and the finale to that is shocking. This final part of Koral Dasgupta’s stunning Sati Series like all others is emotional and hooking, but its ending is exceptional.
P.S: It was hard to create a picture of Tara as a Monkey Queen, watching too many myth shows has limited my imagination to male monkeys only.
September 15, 2024
Tara is the final installment in the five-book series called " Sati Series." Although mythology is my favorite genre I always enjoyed reading mythology from different perspectives. And after finishing this book I have found my favorite book in mythology.
This book has so many facets that make this different from other mythological retellings.
The first and foremost is that the author is the character of the book "Tara." She chose one of the panchkanya. Tara has always been overshadowed by other characters of Ramayana. But, Koral Das Gupta has beautifully given life to Tara.
She has not portrayed the character as merely the wife of Bali, whose strength is unparalleled. Tara, in this book, is strong-headed, fierce, resilient, and also vulnerable. The author has beautifully showcased every aspect of Tara's character in the book.
The compelling narrative of the author and the simple language of the book made this a perfect page-flipping book. The author set the premise perfectly from the prologue of the book. The characters of Bali, Sugrv, and Ruma are equally and seamlessly crafted without overshadowing each other.
Though we have listened to so many stories about Ramayana throughout our childhood, sometimes these stories become monotonous and repetitive. However, the author has given the entire story a completely new/ fresh perspective, which comes smoothly.
I have enjoyed every bit of this book, but my favorite part of the book is the banter between Sita and Tara. I didn't see that coming and I was in awe of the way the author has crafted that. Extra one point for that.
This book has become my favorite mythology book and I am equally excited to read other books. Don't think much and pick up this book, or else you are missing out on this beautiful book.
This book has so many facets that make this different from other mythological retellings.
The first and foremost is that the author is the character of the book "Tara." She chose one of the panchkanya. Tara has always been overshadowed by other characters of Ramayana. But, Koral Das Gupta has beautifully given life to Tara.
She has not portrayed the character as merely the wife of Bali, whose strength is unparalleled. Tara, in this book, is strong-headed, fierce, resilient, and also vulnerable. The author has beautifully showcased every aspect of Tara's character in the book.
The compelling narrative of the author and the simple language of the book made this a perfect page-flipping book. The author set the premise perfectly from the prologue of the book. The characters of Bali, Sugrv, and Ruma are equally and seamlessly crafted without overshadowing each other.
Though we have listened to so many stories about Ramayana throughout our childhood, sometimes these stories become monotonous and repetitive. However, the author has given the entire story a completely new/ fresh perspective, which comes smoothly.
I have enjoyed every bit of this book, but my favorite part of the book is the banter between Sita and Tara. I didn't see that coming and I was in awe of the way the author has crafted that. Extra one point for that.
This book has become my favorite mythology book and I am equally excited to read other books. Don't think much and pick up this book, or else you are missing out on this beautiful book.
March 25, 2025
When you think about the mythology which surrounds literally every inch of india, we often turn and see Mahabharata and Ramayana as the 2 biggest pieces of indian mythological fictions. these stories told through the generations and till day have mainly focused on 'the Men' of the respective stories, but in this series where Koral writes mythology through the eyes of the most important women in mythology working behind the causes of the greatest gods that were ever known, we get a very poetic view of nature and Kishkindha and the loss and turmoil that Tara faces when she loses her husband, when she is faced with the other loses of life, but with the biggest lose of continuing to be strong for the kingdom with the absence of her half in her heart. It tells the story of the queen of kishkinda in a very raw manner that made me question of 'what else am i overlooking when i read indian myths'. the writing is very lyrical and presents Tara as a strong independent woman, who still needs love and regardless does love showing what i have missed in a lot of feminist books which seem to show women in a manner where they almost reject love. We are also beautifully given more context on the life of Bali and Sugreev, giving us more insights of how sugreev actually came to meet Ram setting off the main story of Ramayana. One thing i loved the most is when SPOILER- Koral writes in the book along the lines of 'We animals don't view time as a straight continuous line rather fond memories floating in and out of real life' and the entire book and Tara's conversations with the now dead king are a consistent authorial choice that justify the statement, used throughout the book.
Lovely writing style, makes me tear up sometimes. Would definitely recommend!
Lovely writing style, makes me tear up sometimes. Would definitely recommend!
August 10, 2024
🍂Title: Tara
🍂Author: Koral Dasgupta
🍂Publication: Pan Macmillan India
🍂No. of pages: 314
🍂Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
🍂Tara, a significant character of Ramayana, who is known as the wife of Bali and the queen of Kishkindha.
🍂This book is written from Tara's perspective. The author has portrayed her as a wise advisor and a courageous woman. Apart from being a devoted and loyal wife, Tara is also a loving mother. She has embraced all her identities with extreme elegance. But destiny has etched a lot of sacrifices on her fate. Torn between the rivalry of Bali and Sugreev and the responsibilities of being a queen, Tara's journey represents the power of feminine wisdom and resilience.❤️✨
🍂The author has skillfully woven the character of Tara; her character development throughout the book is an enigmatic experience to remember! As I always say, Koral Dasgupta's poetic writing never fails to soothe my soul. Her writing is not just retellings; she has done a commendable job of bringing Tara's character to life. The narration is well-paced, engaging and rich in every literary aspect.The Sati series is a must read for everyone!❤️
🍂I will always be grateful to Bookstagram for introducing me to Koral Ma'am's Sati series. I had no interest in mythology until I happened to come across her book Draupadi on Bookstagram one day. The stunning cover drew me in right away, and I was fortunate enough to receive a review copy of the book. Mythological fiction has become one of my all-time favorite genres since then. Many congratulations to Koral Ma'am for the wonderful feedback her precious books are getting from readers. I hope she writes more in the future about other mythological women. Best wishes for her future endeavors.❤️
🍂Author: Koral Dasgupta
🍂Publication: Pan Macmillan India
🍂No. of pages: 314
🍂Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
🍂Tara, a significant character of Ramayana, who is known as the wife of Bali and the queen of Kishkindha.
🍂This book is written from Tara's perspective. The author has portrayed her as a wise advisor and a courageous woman. Apart from being a devoted and loyal wife, Tara is also a loving mother. She has embraced all her identities with extreme elegance. But destiny has etched a lot of sacrifices on her fate. Torn between the rivalry of Bali and Sugreev and the responsibilities of being a queen, Tara's journey represents the power of feminine wisdom and resilience.❤️✨
🍂The author has skillfully woven the character of Tara; her character development throughout the book is an enigmatic experience to remember! As I always say, Koral Dasgupta's poetic writing never fails to soothe my soul. Her writing is not just retellings; she has done a commendable job of bringing Tara's character to life. The narration is well-paced, engaging and rich in every literary aspect.The Sati series is a must read for everyone!❤️
🍂I will always be grateful to Bookstagram for introducing me to Koral Ma'am's Sati series. I had no interest in mythology until I happened to come across her book Draupadi on Bookstagram one day. The stunning cover drew me in right away, and I was fortunate enough to receive a review copy of the book. Mythological fiction has become one of my all-time favorite genres since then. Many congratulations to Koral Ma'am for the wonderful feedback her precious books are getting from readers. I hope she writes more in the future about other mythological women. Best wishes for her future endeavors.❤️
August 30, 2024
TARA, the fifth book of the SATI series by Koral Dasgupta is a significant exponent of mythological fiction which portrays the life and times of an exceptional character from the Ramayana in a differently fabulous dimension; brighter and broader than it has ever been told.
This is the story of Tara, the queen of Kishkindha, has passed through a lot of impediments in her earlier life as well as in her later life. When the political restlessness, moral anguish stucked the lives, she handled the hardest situations with wisdom and dignity and balanced the equilibrium between the human and animal existence. Through the vision of Tara, it's a retelling of the myth that establish the profound wisdom of a woman who shaped a kingdom and enriched it.
The author has captured a distinct and decent corner of the legend which has added an exceptional vertebrae to the title. The episodes have been knitted with proper mythical background without any kind of hyper-fictional hyperbole or exaggerated narrative.
The compelling storyline, strong characterisation, coherence between the deeds and the doers, gripping narration and lucid language have made the book a genuinely fascinating rather fascinatingly genuine read.
The Sati series has become always been a specimen of much-talked fiction since its first volume was published. With her meticulous vision and extraordinary talent, author has managed to hold on the exquisite essence throughout the series.
Highly recommended , not just this book but the entire Series.
This is the story of Tara, the queen of Kishkindha, has passed through a lot of impediments in her earlier life as well as in her later life. When the political restlessness, moral anguish stucked the lives, she handled the hardest situations with wisdom and dignity and balanced the equilibrium between the human and animal existence. Through the vision of Tara, it's a retelling of the myth that establish the profound wisdom of a woman who shaped a kingdom and enriched it.
The author has captured a distinct and decent corner of the legend which has added an exceptional vertebrae to the title. The episodes have been knitted with proper mythical background without any kind of hyper-fictional hyperbole or exaggerated narrative.
The compelling storyline, strong characterisation, coherence between the deeds and the doers, gripping narration and lucid language have made the book a genuinely fascinating rather fascinatingly genuine read.
The Sati series has become always been a specimen of much-talked fiction since its first volume was published. With her meticulous vision and extraordinary talent, author has managed to hold on the exquisite essence throughout the series.
Highly recommended , not just this book but the entire Series.
January 22, 2025
2 stars
As confessed in my review of Mandodari, Tara’s story is not one I know well nor was curious about. For me she was wife of two warring brothers sequentially and one that by satyuga rules was frowned upon especially because there was treachery involved in her marital status (married, widowed, married) and because the culpability of at least one of those states might have been extended to Ram himself.
What Ms Dasgupta does well is construct a backstory that explores the world of the vaanaras which should rightly be governed by different rules and morals than what humans are used to; and like Mandodari’s, creates a past for Tara, Bali and Sugreev a story that explains their many dynamics while absolving Ram of what is already quite rarely held against him.
The prose in this tale is almost swinging to the opposite end of purple. Compare this to Ahalya or Kunti, and it might even feel like a much more edited author. Whether this is a good thing or not I cannot say. The author retains some essence of her voice but does feel much modified.
Unfortunately for me, the entire monkey kingdom setting didn’t work. I know it’s almost vain of me to say so, but then that cover is misleading? Especially when there is talk of tails, fur, and swinging on trees on every page. I am not sure I signed up for a story about a different species being evaluated or exonerated based on very human standards. Meh.
A dissatisfying end to an otherwise intriguing series. If I could do this again, I’d skip this instalment.
As confessed in my review of Mandodari, Tara’s story is not one I know well nor was curious about. For me she was wife of two warring brothers sequentially and one that by satyuga rules was frowned upon especially because there was treachery involved in her marital status (married, widowed, married) and because the culpability of at least one of those states might have been extended to Ram himself.
What Ms Dasgupta does well is construct a backstory that explores the world of the vaanaras which should rightly be governed by different rules and morals than what humans are used to; and like Mandodari’s, creates a past for Tara, Bali and Sugreev a story that explains their many dynamics while absolving Ram of what is already quite rarely held against him.
The prose in this tale is almost swinging to the opposite end of purple. Compare this to Ahalya or Kunti, and it might even feel like a much more edited author. Whether this is a good thing or not I cannot say. The author retains some essence of her voice but does feel much modified.
Unfortunately for me, the entire monkey kingdom setting didn’t work. I know it’s almost vain of me to say so, but then that cover is misleading? Especially when there is talk of tails, fur, and swinging on trees on every page. I am not sure I signed up for a story about a different species being evaluated or exonerated based on very human standards. Meh.
A dissatisfying end to an otherwise intriguing series. If I could do this again, I’d skip this instalment.
July 14, 2024
As I complete the last book of the Sati Series, I'm getting a lot of thoughts flowing, and I can't write them all in this post, unfortunately.
Tara, the Queen of Kishkindha, Wife of Bali, was undoubtedly a powerful woman. The author, Koral has done complete justice to her, and I'm really sad right now that this wonderful series has come to an end.
The very first thing that caught my attention was the way Tara's story began, creating a link to the previous book : A letter to Queen Mandodari. Wow! I was also stunned by Tara developing a script for the monkeys.
To be honest, my favorite character was Ruma (maybe because I wanted to be a doctor, and I've still not gotten over the grief that I couldn't be one). Ruma reminded me a lot about Urmila, Lakshman's wife, mainly due to their sacrifices. All the while, I was thinking what would have happened if Tara had married Sugreev and Ruma, Bali!
I loved the chemistry between Bali and Tara in the initial days when their love blossomed. The story also kept my mind imagining Bali's might. I could picturize Bali killing Dunduvi on the Rishyamukh mountain.
Apart from these, I loved the way Koral has written the epilogue, bringing in "that" character (definitely no spoilers here) to make the series complete. That was something I really didn't imagine coming, and it made a perfect end.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and will definitely recommend it to everyone.
Tara, the Queen of Kishkindha, Wife of Bali, was undoubtedly a powerful woman. The author, Koral has done complete justice to her, and I'm really sad right now that this wonderful series has come to an end.
The very first thing that caught my attention was the way Tara's story began, creating a link to the previous book : A letter to Queen Mandodari. Wow! I was also stunned by Tara developing a script for the monkeys.
To be honest, my favorite character was Ruma (maybe because I wanted to be a doctor, and I've still not gotten over the grief that I couldn't be one). Ruma reminded me a lot about Urmila, Lakshman's wife, mainly due to their sacrifices. All the while, I was thinking what would have happened if Tara had married Sugreev and Ruma, Bali!
I loved the chemistry between Bali and Tara in the initial days when their love blossomed. The story also kept my mind imagining Bali's might. I could picturize Bali killing Dunduvi on the Rishyamukh mountain.
Apart from these, I loved the way Koral has written the epilogue, bringing in "that" character (definitely no spoilers here) to make the series complete. That was something I really didn't imagine coming, and it made a perfect end.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and will definitely recommend it to everyone.
July 6, 2024
Sunday routine in my childhood during vacations wasn't complete without the mandatory time-slot for Ramayan. I remember much of the mainstream characters, and apart from Hanuman, my memory of the monkey brigade is as facilitators to build the bridge across the ocean and help Ram overpower the Lankan forces.
There is very little told of Kishkinda, the Vanara kingdom, or of Tara the Queen consort.
Tara by Koral Dasgupta is a part of her larger "Sati" series, which reimagines the stories of crucial females from the Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. She celebrates the unsung heroines of mythology and lends a fresh perspective to their stories.
Through the eyes of Tara, Koral has brought focus to an important part of the epic, mostly overlooked. The vanara band were the backbone, and that's all they remained, but there's more to their story; to Bali-Sugreev-Ram story. Ruma was another new character to me, and I loved getting to know about her.
Reading the Sati series has made me notice and look at characters from a different perspective. It's high time we changed the narrative told from a patriarchal perspective and delved deeper into the silences and unspoken words.
Koral uses conversations to progress the narrative; deep conversations that flow back and forth in time. She focuses on the agency, strength, and resilience characters, challenging traditional gender roles, and highlighting issues of female empowerment while reflecting on broader themes of ove, power, and societal norms.
The beauty of her writing is that she infuses the narrative with contemporary relevance while still being deeply rooted in mythology that makes these ancient tales meaningful in today's time.
The end was a pleasant surprise. Bringing the Sati series to a close on the best possible way!
Whether you're interested in mythology, feminist literature, or simply a beautifully written story, Tara is a novel that promises to captivate and inspire.
There is very little told of Kishkinda, the Vanara kingdom, or of Tara the Queen consort.
Tara by Koral Dasgupta is a part of her larger "Sati" series, which reimagines the stories of crucial females from the Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. She celebrates the unsung heroines of mythology and lends a fresh perspective to their stories.
Through the eyes of Tara, Koral has brought focus to an important part of the epic, mostly overlooked. The vanara band were the backbone, and that's all they remained, but there's more to their story; to Bali-Sugreev-Ram story. Ruma was another new character to me, and I loved getting to know about her.
Reading the Sati series has made me notice and look at characters from a different perspective. It's high time we changed the narrative told from a patriarchal perspective and delved deeper into the silences and unspoken words.
Koral uses conversations to progress the narrative; deep conversations that flow back and forth in time. She focuses on the agency, strength, and resilience characters, challenging traditional gender roles, and highlighting issues of female empowerment while reflecting on broader themes of ove, power, and societal norms.
The beauty of her writing is that she infuses the narrative with contemporary relevance while still being deeply rooted in mythology that makes these ancient tales meaningful in today's time.
The end was a pleasant surprise. Bringing the Sati series to a close on the best possible way!
Whether you're interested in mythology, feminist literature, or simply a beautifully written story, Tara is a novel that promises to captivate and inspire.
January 20, 2025
Koral Dasgupta’s Tara is the fifth and final installment in her Sati series and the third book I’ve read from it, following Kunti and Mandodari.
.
.
This engaging tale alternates between the past and present, making it a compelling read for lovers of mythology. Given the limited presence of Tara in popular culture, creating a multidimensional character must have been challenging, yet the writer succeeds beautifully.
.
.
Tara is portrayed as a strong woman, a devoted wife, and a spirited individual who grows into an intelligent, sensible adult, though she can also be stubborn and a bit obtuse at times.
.
.
The dynamics between Bali and Tara are especially noteworthy, as they are written to complement and complete each other. While Tara is the story’s narrator and focal point, the novel avoids reducing her to just a grieving widow mourning her late husband.
.
.
Tara is a love story, but it’s also about the meaning of home, brotherly bonds and conflicts, friendship, and family. The beauty of this book is truly unmatched. There were countless moments when I had to pause and reflect on what I had just read. It’s a remarkable example of imagination staying true to the original while elevating it to new heights!
.
.
If you’ve appreciated the previous books in the Sati series or have a passion for Indian mythology, this one definitely deserves a spot on your TBR.
.
.
This engaging tale alternates between the past and present, making it a compelling read for lovers of mythology. Given the limited presence of Tara in popular culture, creating a multidimensional character must have been challenging, yet the writer succeeds beautifully.
.
.
Tara is portrayed as a strong woman, a devoted wife, and a spirited individual who grows into an intelligent, sensible adult, though she can also be stubborn and a bit obtuse at times.
.
.
The dynamics between Bali and Tara are especially noteworthy, as they are written to complement and complete each other. While Tara is the story’s narrator and focal point, the novel avoids reducing her to just a grieving widow mourning her late husband.
.
.
Tara is a love story, but it’s also about the meaning of home, brotherly bonds and conflicts, friendship, and family. The beauty of this book is truly unmatched. There were countless moments when I had to pause and reflect on what I had just read. It’s a remarkable example of imagination staying true to the original while elevating it to new heights!
.
.
If you’ve appreciated the previous books in the Sati series or have a passion for Indian mythology, this one definitely deserves a spot on your TBR.
February 25, 2026
turm𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 : ⭐⭐⭐⭐. 𝟓
𝙏𝙖𝙧𝙖, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙆𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙖.
𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙖𝙩𝙞 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨: 𝙏𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙗𝙮 @𝙠𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙙𝙖𝙨𝙜𝙪𝙥𝙩𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 @𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙢𝙖𝙘𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙖.
Enter Bali and Sugreev, twin brothers on a mission that never quite reached its mark, stumbling into a forest where they met the fierce and fabulous Tara, the spirited woman of the land, the Pishachini. Her dad, Shushena, a Monkey Doctor, always wanted her to follow in his footsteps.
But Tara? She was way more into learning the languages of other creatures and crafting her own scripts. Meanwhile, her Twin sister Ruma was the perfect, golden child.
Their first encounter? Oh, just a fiery exchange about what exactly Bali was searching for.
But, but, love works in a mysterious way.
And soon enough, Bali and Tara, Sugreev and Ruma tied the knot. Their chemistry, Pure magic.
Post-wedding, everyone returned to business. As the devoted king, Bali strengthened the kingdom, while Sugreev lent a helping hand. And let’s not forget Angad, Bali’s mischievous son, who added a dash of fun to the mix.
Though it was picture-perfect, fate had other plans.
As the tale of Ramayana unfolds, we see that even though Ravana was Bali’s friend, Tara never sided with him.
𝑇𝑎𝑟𝑎, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑄𝑢𝑒𝑒𝑛, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑃𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑖, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑚𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑.
𝙏𝙖𝙧𝙖, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙆𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙖.
𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙖𝙩𝙞 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨: 𝙏𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙗𝙮 @𝙠𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙙𝙖𝙨𝙜𝙪𝙥𝙩𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 @𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙢𝙖𝙘𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙖.
Enter Bali and Sugreev, twin brothers on a mission that never quite reached its mark, stumbling into a forest where they met the fierce and fabulous Tara, the spirited woman of the land, the Pishachini. Her dad, Shushena, a Monkey Doctor, always wanted her to follow in his footsteps.
But Tara? She was way more into learning the languages of other creatures and crafting her own scripts. Meanwhile, her Twin sister Ruma was the perfect, golden child.
Their first encounter? Oh, just a fiery exchange about what exactly Bali was searching for.
But, but, love works in a mysterious way.
And soon enough, Bali and Tara, Sugreev and Ruma tied the knot. Their chemistry, Pure magic.
Post-wedding, everyone returned to business. As the devoted king, Bali strengthened the kingdom, while Sugreev lent a helping hand. And let’s not forget Angad, Bali’s mischievous son, who added a dash of fun to the mix.
Though it was picture-perfect, fate had other plans.
As the tale of Ramayana unfolds, we see that even though Ravana was Bali’s friend, Tara never sided with him.
𝑇𝑎𝑟𝑎, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑄𝑢𝑒𝑒𝑛, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑃𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑖, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑚𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑.
October 23, 2026
What a lovely way to end the series! I think Tara might be the most emotionally touching of the five books. I loved getting to know her as someone beyond Bali's wife, a woman who is intelligent, stubborn, compassionate and perfectly capable of making her own decisions. Her relationship with Bali was easily my favourite part. I loved their friendship, the mutual respect and how neither of them was portrayed as perfect. It also made me see Bali in a completely different light, which is something I really appreciate about mythological retellings. The forest setting was beautiful, and I particularly enjoyed the contrast between preserving nature and embracing progress. As always, Dasgupta's writing had this dreamy, poetic quality that made the world feel almost magical. The shifting timelines were a little confusing initially, and I sometimes wished Tara had more control over the events around her. But perhaps that's what made her journey so moving. She couldn't always change what happened, yet she found the strength to keep going without losing herself. I also loved how the story connected back to the earlier books, bringing everything full circle. Such a tender, bittersweet ending to a series that reminds us that a woman's strength doesn't always have to be loud or extraordinary. Sometimes, simply staying true to yourself is enough.
August 15, 2024
Genre- Mythological fiction
Format- Paperback
Pages- 314
The book "TARA" by author, Koral Dasgupta, presents here the apic story of Tara, Queen of Kishkinda.
The author have penned the whole Sati Series so much gracefully which includes Ahalya, Kunti, Draupadi, Mandodari & lastly, Tara. I've read them all except Mandodari, so this is my 4th read from the author as well. And this book offers an exploration if a lesser known but a crucial character, Tara, The Vaanar Queen from an epic Indian book, the Ramayan.
The narrative starts with the sudden demise of Balu & then exploration of multiple events offering some logical as well as emotional derivates occurs.
The story sets as a testament to her strength, resilience & her strong will through all her sufferings from political & emotional turmoil.
Emerge yourself in this mythological tale, contented with challenging traditional gender roles & an affirming women empowerment. The narration offers themes of friendship, kinship & love, besides which it explores connection between animals and humans and much more. The characters are vividly described with rich vocabulary.
A must read mythological fiction & is recommended to all mythological readers .!!!
Happy Reading.!!!
Format- Paperback
Pages- 314
The book "TARA" by author, Koral Dasgupta, presents here the apic story of Tara, Queen of Kishkinda.
The author have penned the whole Sati Series so much gracefully which includes Ahalya, Kunti, Draupadi, Mandodari & lastly, Tara. I've read them all except Mandodari, so this is my 4th read from the author as well. And this book offers an exploration if a lesser known but a crucial character, Tara, The Vaanar Queen from an epic Indian book, the Ramayan.
The narrative starts with the sudden demise of Balu & then exploration of multiple events offering some logical as well as emotional derivates occurs.
The story sets as a testament to her strength, resilience & her strong will through all her sufferings from political & emotional turmoil.
Emerge yourself in this mythological tale, contented with challenging traditional gender roles & an affirming women empowerment. The narration offers themes of friendship, kinship & love, besides which it explores connection between animals and humans and much more. The characters are vividly described with rich vocabulary.
A must read mythological fiction & is recommended to all mythological readers .!!!
Happy Reading.!!!
September 20, 2024
Koral Dasgupta’s Tara wraps up her Sati series with a captivating look at the lesser-known character of Tara, the Queen of Kishkinda from the Ramayana. After reading Mandodari, I was eager to dive into this final book, and it did not disappoint.
Dasgupta's storytelling shines as she navigates between the past and present, bringing Tara to life as a vibrant and multifaceted character. From her early years as a lively child to her growth into a wise yet sometimes stubborn adult, Tara’s journey feels both authentic and engaging. The way Tara and Bali's relationship evolves, along with her dynamic with Sugreev, adds depth to the narrative. I appreciated how Tara is portrayed not just as a grieving widow, but as a complex individual balancing love, family, and her role in the kingdom.
What I found particularly gratifying was how Dasgupta ties in Ahalya from the first book, creating a satisfying sense of closure. The novel beautifully blends mythological themes with Tara’s personal struggles, making it a poignant read. If you’ve enjoyed the previous books in the series or have a passion for Indian mythology, Tara is a compelling and rewarding conclusion to this remarkable series.
Dasgupta's storytelling shines as she navigates between the past and present, bringing Tara to life as a vibrant and multifaceted character. From her early years as a lively child to her growth into a wise yet sometimes stubborn adult, Tara’s journey feels both authentic and engaging. The way Tara and Bali's relationship evolves, along with her dynamic with Sugreev, adds depth to the narrative. I appreciated how Tara is portrayed not just as a grieving widow, but as a complex individual balancing love, family, and her role in the kingdom.
What I found particularly gratifying was how Dasgupta ties in Ahalya from the first book, creating a satisfying sense of closure. The novel beautifully blends mythological themes with Tara’s personal struggles, making it a poignant read. If you’ve enjoyed the previous books in the series or have a passion for Indian mythology, Tara is a compelling and rewarding conclusion to this remarkable series.
October 4, 2024
I loved this entire series on Panch Kanyas written by Koral Dasgupta. The Panch Kanyas as mentioned in our epics or mythology are Ahalya, Draupadi, Kunti, Mandodri and Tara. There is a sholka about Panch Kanyas and it is said that if you recite the sholka then it washes away all your sins and you are prevented from doing further sins in your coming years. It’s a matter of faith or a matter of belief. The point is that it’s a rare privilege for an author to write this kind of series and a big salute to the publisher for encouraging this kind of endeavour.
I have read all the books from this series and loved the covers because it has such beautiful paintings on them. To get into an elaborate review of each of them would be impossible because one will end up mixing-up either the characters or the stories, so I will just say one word for all of them. Ahalya is intriguing, Draupadi is dazzling, Kunti is filled with kindness, Tara is tantalizing and Mandodari, very compassionate. And for the author to understand all of them and present to us as a series, a big salute to her too. Go and grab the series because it’s a wonderful gift to give somebody you love.
I have read all the books from this series and loved the covers because it has such beautiful paintings on them. To get into an elaborate review of each of them would be impossible because one will end up mixing-up either the characters or the stories, so I will just say one word for all of them. Ahalya is intriguing, Draupadi is dazzling, Kunti is filled with kindness, Tara is tantalizing and Mandodari, very compassionate. And for the author to understand all of them and present to us as a series, a big salute to her too. Go and grab the series because it’s a wonderful gift to give somebody you love.
November 21, 2024
Imagine a tale where power, loyalty, and strategy shape the destiny of a queen from the Ramayana—meet Tara.
Koral Dasgupta’s captivating book uncovers the story of Tara, Bali’s queen, later the queen of Sugreev. A character long overshadowed by the legendary men around her, Tara emerges as a beacon of resilience and intellect.
From her days in the wilderness to the throne of Kishkindha, Tara’s path is filled with political tension, shifting alliances, and complex emotions. After Bali’s tragic fall, she faces the harsh reality of being a queen in a divided kingdom.
In this final installment of the Sati series, Tara stands not just as a queen but as a tactician—a woman who brings order in turbulent times, using her wit and strength to influence a fractured kingdom.
Dasgupta’s portrayal of Tara is powerful and nuanced, shining a light on her journey from obscurity to a revered stateswoman. It’s a story of navigating loyalty, loss, and leadership.
Step into Tara’s world and witness the resilience of a queen whose wisdom transcends her circumstances.
Koral Dasgupta’s captivating book uncovers the story of Tara, Bali’s queen, later the queen of Sugreev. A character long overshadowed by the legendary men around her, Tara emerges as a beacon of resilience and intellect.
From her days in the wilderness to the throne of Kishkindha, Tara’s path is filled with political tension, shifting alliances, and complex emotions. After Bali’s tragic fall, she faces the harsh reality of being a queen in a divided kingdom.
In this final installment of the Sati series, Tara stands not just as a queen but as a tactician—a woman who brings order in turbulent times, using her wit and strength to influence a fractured kingdom.
Dasgupta’s portrayal of Tara is powerful and nuanced, shining a light on her journey from obscurity to a revered stateswoman. It’s a story of navigating loyalty, loss, and leadership.
Step into Tara’s world and witness the resilience of a queen whose wisdom transcends her circumstances.
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