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Bhimsen
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Next in the line of succession to his elder brother Yudhisthira (and usually in the shadow of his younger brother Arjuna when it comes to charisma and skill in warfare), Bhima comes across as a gluttonous, slightly oafish he-man figure – or a comic foil – in many mainstream renderings of the great epic. But MT Vasudevan Nair (popularly known as “MT”) turned him into a three-dimensional figure, more sensitive and thoughtful than he is usually given credit for. “He took familiar building blocks and created an entirely new, incredibly compelling construct from them,” says Prem Panicker, senior journalist, Rediff.com co-founder and a long-time admirer of MT’s work.
Next in the line of succession to his elder brother Yudhisthira (and usually in the shadow of his younger brother Arjuna when it comes to charisma and skill in warfare), Bhima comes across as a gluttonous, slightly oafish he-man figure – or a comic foil – in many mainstream renderings of the great epic. But MT Vasudevan Nair (popularly known as “MT”) turned him into a three-dimensional figure, more sensitive and thoughtful than he is usually given credit for. “He took familiar building blocks and created an entirely new, incredibly compelling construct from them,” says Prem Panicker, senior journalist, Rediff.com co-founder and a long-time admirer of MT’s work.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 27, 2011
The first half of the book is entertaining and a light and breezy read, not weighted down by the heavy ideas of the original and carrying on from the easy observational stand point of Bhim. But this technique which worked so well till then falls apart rapidly in the second half as the author is forced to strip away most of the better parts of the actual war as Bhim had no access to them and was reduced to after war talks to fill in details. Had to struggle mightily to get through the book in the end but am sure that MT Vasudevan Nair has done a better job at it. Will read ranadamoozham as soon as i can find a copy to buy.
June 23, 2016
I am spoiled with back to back good books.
This one is a gem of a read. The language is very good and the book progresses in a break neck speed. Obviously Mahabharata is a gold mine of great stories. However here we look at the whole things from Bhima's angle which is very refreshing. He doesn't get a lot of attention generally.
I was very surprised (and pleasantly) at how nicely miraculous things were logically explained. The characters were very recognizable and identifiable, minus their divinity. Many of the main characters show surprising traits and depths.
I cannot thank Mr Panicker enough for translating this gem of a book.
I recommend this book very very much.
This one is a gem of a read. The language is very good and the book progresses in a break neck speed. Obviously Mahabharata is a gold mine of great stories. However here we look at the whole things from Bhima's angle which is very refreshing. He doesn't get a lot of attention generally.
I was very surprised (and pleasantly) at how nicely miraculous things were logically explained. The characters were very recognizable and identifiable, minus their divinity. Many of the main characters show surprising traits and depths.
I cannot thank Mr Panicker enough for translating this gem of a book.
I recommend this book very very much.
November 23, 2009
Mahabharath always fascinates me. There is a story for everyone in this epic. Just when I was getting impatient with the literary material coming my way, I stumbled upon Prem Panicker's retelling of MT Vasudevan Nair's "Rendamoozham". I'd felt a similar "oh yes" moment when I read the translation of Vishnu Sahasranamam which is a chronicle of Bhisma's talks with Yudhistra. Among these workds, I get the comfort of a known story while still being thrilled by a new narrative. Bhimsen/Rendamoozham is Mahabharath from Bhima's point of view. When the reviewer at blogbharathi.com mentioned that Rendamoozham can mean "second best", it caught my attention. How can Bhima survive under the overbearing presence of Yudhishtra and Arjuna? The answer is a gritty saga and is available among the pages of 'Bhimsen'.
Bhimsen is not your Amar Chitra Katha-like version of the great yarn. It is cold, logical and contemporary in many ways. I've secretly admired scifi explanations such as the Kauravas being the first known case of human cloning and Karna's use and throw weapons were nuclear in nature. The supernatural mythological ethereal happenings are usually filed away with a godly hand in most narratives. Here, the supernatural mythological ethereal works get an explanation with logical backing. Panicker/Nair blame the mythical goings on as media hype from that age. Apparently mankind has been a news junkie from time immemorial. Yesteryear cable news men existed in the form of balladeers and raconteurs adding spice to common happenings to elevate their yarns. In Bhimsen I found logical explanations to Arjuna's magical weapons, the seemingly ageless presence of the characters, the whole Draupadi issue (no explanation for the saree without border though!) and best of all how can Yudhistra be so noble?
It is this style of giving a grounded narration that kept me glued to my computer screen as I finished the 377 pages of the e-book over a weekend. I am gland that I discovered this after Panicker completed it rather than follow his blog with periodic updates.
Mahabharatha is not a black and white story. Bhimsen manages to show the different shades of grey that only help accentuate the true colors of mankind. Bhima has been a superhero inside out.
Sadly, this will never translate to my other favorite medium - cinema. Putting this up on a screen will mean the cinematic equivalent of telling western kids that Santa is not real. The moral police will not allow that.
Bhimsen is not your Amar Chitra Katha-like version of the great yarn. It is cold, logical and contemporary in many ways. I've secretly admired scifi explanations such as the Kauravas being the first known case of human cloning and Karna's use and throw weapons were nuclear in nature. The supernatural mythological ethereal happenings are usually filed away with a godly hand in most narratives. Here, the supernatural mythological ethereal works get an explanation with logical backing. Panicker/Nair blame the mythical goings on as media hype from that age. Apparently mankind has been a news junkie from time immemorial. Yesteryear cable news men existed in the form of balladeers and raconteurs adding spice to common happenings to elevate their yarns. In Bhimsen I found logical explanations to Arjuna's magical weapons, the seemingly ageless presence of the characters, the whole Draupadi issue (no explanation for the saree without border though!) and best of all how can Yudhistra be so noble?
It is this style of giving a grounded narration that kept me glued to my computer screen as I finished the 377 pages of the e-book over a weekend. I am gland that I discovered this after Panicker completed it rather than follow his blog with periodic updates.
Mahabharatha is not a black and white story. Bhimsen manages to show the different shades of grey that only help accentuate the true colors of mankind. Bhima has been a superhero inside out.
Sadly, this will never translate to my other favorite medium - cinema. Putting this up on a screen will mean the cinematic equivalent of telling western kids that Santa is not real. The moral police will not allow that.
July 18, 2016
I accidentally find Bhimsen when I was searching for "Randamoozham" by MT Vasudevan Nair. Bhimsen tells you the story of Mahabharath from the view of Bhimsen.
Although we know story from childhood it still gave me surprise and eagerness through out the story.
I was expecting the War part more Dramatic but didn't satisfied much with it. But still the language was simple and easy to understand.
Although we know story from childhood it still gave me surprise and eagerness through out the story.
I was expecting the War part more Dramatic but didn't satisfied much with it. But still the language was simple and easy to understand.
April 12, 2020
Its good. Though we need more explanation or have questions about some points, like author said only way to understand is to read as much as we can on Mahabharat...
October 6, 2023
Prem Panicker’s translation of MT Vasudevan Nair’s Randamoozham is superb.
Mahabharata is such a complex and layered piece of literature with a vast array of interesting characters, that it lends itself to various interpretations and retellings from Ramesh Memon or Kamala Subramaniam’s humane retellings to Prof P. Lal’s epic transliterations, to Irawati Karve’s scholarly character dissections in Yuganta and countless other retellings.
I feel sad to not be able to read these classics of vernacular Indian literature in their original language - SL Bhyrappa’s opus Parva, the aforementioned Randamoozham while even Shivaji Sawant’s Mrutyunjay or Suyodhan were a bit heavy Marathi for my capacity. Thats why I’m deeply grateful to all the translators who work hard to translate and preserve the sentiment, tone, pace and pathos from the original. My salutations to the authors and the translators.
Bhimsen is a retailing of the Mahabharata from the point of view of Bhima. This novel manages to humanise and show Bhima in a different light. We very familiar with the with the cliche of “gadadhari” Bhima but this novel shows another (neglected imo) aspect of Bhima - the heir apparent to Yudhishtira.
Bhimsen shows the Bhima who was always in the shadows of his elder brother, the one who would be king and his younger more dashing brother. Here we see an individual who is just as intelligent, smart, proficient and perhaps possesses more empathy his brothers, just that his qualities were all overlooked and he was stereotyped as a gluttonous oaf.
The story does not majorly deviate from the established narrative, except it is from Bhima’s perspective. It allows us to see the events from a different perspective - his pure heart, guilelessness, passion, love, berserker rage and his clarity of thought.
An absolute must read!
Mahabharata is such a complex and layered piece of literature with a vast array of interesting characters, that it lends itself to various interpretations and retellings from Ramesh Memon or Kamala Subramaniam’s humane retellings to Prof P. Lal’s epic transliterations, to Irawati Karve’s scholarly character dissections in Yuganta and countless other retellings.
I feel sad to not be able to read these classics of vernacular Indian literature in their original language - SL Bhyrappa’s opus Parva, the aforementioned Randamoozham while even Shivaji Sawant’s Mrutyunjay or Suyodhan were a bit heavy Marathi for my capacity. Thats why I’m deeply grateful to all the translators who work hard to translate and preserve the sentiment, tone, pace and pathos from the original. My salutations to the authors and the translators.
Bhimsen is a retailing of the Mahabharata from the point of view of Bhima. This novel manages to humanise and show Bhima in a different light. We very familiar with the with the cliche of “gadadhari” Bhima but this novel shows another (neglected imo) aspect of Bhima - the heir apparent to Yudhishtira.
Bhimsen shows the Bhima who was always in the shadows of his elder brother, the one who would be king and his younger more dashing brother. Here we see an individual who is just as intelligent, smart, proficient and perhaps possesses more empathy his brothers, just that his qualities were all overlooked and he was stereotyped as a gluttonous oaf.
The story does not majorly deviate from the established narrative, except it is from Bhima’s perspective. It allows us to see the events from a different perspective - his pure heart, guilelessness, passion, love, berserker rage and his clarity of thought.
An absolute must read!
January 9, 2014
While I have read and heard quite a few retellings of this great epic in recent times, very rarely does one come across a book which is as well written as this one. Although I knew about Prem Panicker translating / retelling MT Vasudevan Nair's Rendammoozham in English on his blog for quite a few years now, my interest in mythology is at an all time high right now and therefore this book had to find its way to my reading list sooner rather than later. And man, was the wait worth it or what!
An extremely beautiful walk through the Mahabharata through the eyes of Bhima, the strongest Pandava, the scourge of all the Kaurava brothers, the warrior. But then, this book presents him in an entirely different light altogether - a loving son, a caring husband, a doting father, but a man who doesn't even know what he is capable of.
//I had become what I wanted to be, done all that I vowed to do - and yet, what did I have? A wife I shared with four others...two other wives whose faces I couldn't remember...a son who had given up his life for those who had delighted in his dying, two other sons who I did not know... and brothers who could never appreciate the depth of feeling I had for them. // These words at the end of the great war summarize all that he feels at the fag end of his life.
Beautiful book, recommended reading for anybody who thinks they know the story of the Mahabharata, know Bhima......
An extremely beautiful walk through the Mahabharata through the eyes of Bhima, the strongest Pandava, the scourge of all the Kaurava brothers, the warrior. But then, this book presents him in an entirely different light altogether - a loving son, a caring husband, a doting father, but a man who doesn't even know what he is capable of.
//I had become what I wanted to be, done all that I vowed to do - and yet, what did I have? A wife I shared with four others...two other wives whose faces I couldn't remember...a son who had given up his life for those who had delighted in his dying, two other sons who I did not know... and brothers who could never appreciate the depth of feeling I had for them. // These words at the end of the great war summarize all that he feels at the fag end of his life.
Beautiful book, recommended reading for anybody who thinks they know the story of the Mahabharata, know Bhima......
February 23, 2015
Having been fed a diet of one version of the mahabharata from my grandparents, amar chitra Katha and popular folklore, it never occurred to one that the series of events were in monochrome. Bhima's perspective of the mahabharata reminds us that there is always another "truth". I have read other versions of the mahabharata since, Krishna Udayasankar's Aryavarta Chronicles being the latest, but this was my first alternative version and I have been recommending it to everyone I know. It is concise but extremely quick in drawing attention to how we can easily be taken in by one version of events, often the popular version. That there is an alternative, equally compelling "truth" is the real learning from this. One could, of course, read statistical analysis from NN Taleb to reach the same conclusion about how myths are popular but this is a more interesting path to the same truth.
The perception of Bhima's and each of the other characters as unidimensional is a feature of mainstream thinking. Very little attention is paid to those who are not first. I. This case, Arjun is considered the best archer and no one cares about who's next best. If one asks members of winning teams who they treasure, they are unlikely to pick the best skilled person. I know they will pick those who are versatile and willing to sacrifice themselves for the team. I guess you now know where I stand in the Dravid versus Tendulkar debate.
The perception of Bhima's and each of the other characters as unidimensional is a feature of mainstream thinking. Very little attention is paid to those who are not first. I. This case, Arjun is considered the best archer and no one cares about who's next best. If one asks members of winning teams who they treasure, they are unlikely to pick the best skilled person. I know they will pick those who are versatile and willing to sacrifice themselves for the team. I guess you now know where I stand in the Dravid versus Tendulkar debate.
June 3, 2017
Find this and my other reviews of books at Feminist Quill.Wordpress: https://feministquill.wordpress.com/2...
Let me start from the top. The Mahabharath is an epic poem, somewhat similar to the Illiad or the Odyssey. Like with those poems, there have been numerous versions of the Mahabharath, numerous perspectives and retellings, and along the way, new myths and legends are continuously being tacked onto the end of it. Panicker’s story is a loose translation of an older version written in Malayalam by M.T. Vasudevan Nair called Randamoozham (Second Chance).
What Panicker and Nair both attempt is to engage with the myths and legends that surround the stories about the Mahabharath, and to reimagine the story shorn of these trappings. Dispelling the myths results in a truth laid out that now seems stranger than fiction to those of us who grew up reading about miracles and magical weapons.
The part of the Mahabharath that Bhimsen deals with refers to the lives of the two sets of cousins who eventually form the opposing sides in the Great War (called the Mahabharath). There’s The Good Side (sort of) who are known as the Pandavas, and The Bad Side (mostly) who are known as the Kauravas. The five Pandavas and the 101 Kauravas are children of a pair of half brothers. The former’s father was pale and splotchy (and allegedly impotent), while the latter’s father (the King) was blind.
Each character in the Mahabharath is well known for at least one trait that ends up defining them. Bhim is the strong one. His younger brother Arjun is the ultimate hero – a handsome warrior who wins everything, fears nothing, and leaves swooning women in his wake. His eldest (illegitimate) brother, Karna is the generous one, the misunderstood one, the most cruel one (or the one who was also in love with Draupadi), depending on which version of the story you read. Draupadi is the ultimate wife, and Kunti the ultimate mother. And there is the Pandava King, Yudhishtir – the just one.
Bhim is the second of the five ‘good’ brothers, and his defining characteristic is his strength. He’s often described as loyal and single-minded to a fault, always willing to assist his brothers or the wife they all share in whatever they need to do. Due to their father’s impotency, these five brothers are said to have been the children of various Gods from the Hindu pantheon – the result of a boon offered to their mother when she was younger.
This brings me to the women – Kunti, mother of the Pandavas, and Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas. Yes, she’s married to all five of them. It’s complicated. Draupadi – never really cast as much of a weak woman to begin with – is depicted by Panicker as a bloodthirsty person, someone so filled with bloodlust that it’s pretty much her biggest turn on. She adores tales of heroics, and portioned out her love for her husbands on the basis of their heroism (or depending on whether she needed to manipulate them into something or the other).
Kunti, another master manipulator, is also shown to be ruthless in her efforts to gain the throne – the ultimate prize. It is Kunti that hid away a sixth son (the eldest) because she hadn’t been married at the time of his birth. It is Kunti who refrains from claiming that son – Karna – when he needs it the most, which means the eldest Pandava ends up fighting on the other side of the war. It is Kunti that ensures that all five of her sons marry the woman considered the most beautiful ‘in all the land’, so envy of Draupadi will not tear them apart.
As you might well expect from a myth stripping, cynical work, all these characters are separated from hundreds of years of white washing. What you get is a sad picture painted from an unflinching perspective. A Yudhishtir who is hypocritical in his justice, a guy who’s essentially pretending to be a lawyer after having watched too many episodes of Boston Legal. (Ugh, Denny Crane). An Arjun who’s arrogant and prideful, and becomes bitchy when that pride is injured. A Draupadi who’s viciously making the best of having to share her life with five different men.
Bhim is (obviously) the one who gets the most sympathetic deal of the lot. With him cast in the role of the protagonist, we quickly realize that we never heard much of Bhim’s version of the story. His mother makes him leave his first wife and son behind him in the forest, and he later ends up fighting the guy who took care of them afterwards. He describes ordinary fights that were so embellished in the retelling that his enemies ended up nine feet tall and with tusks for teeth. He talks about his desire for Draupadi, and his shame at desiring her, and his confusion because as her husband, surely he’s allowed to desire her?
Sub plots that never seemed very important are infused with new life in Bhimsen. The whole book is a conspiracy theory, a suggestion that the Mahabharath is just a case of the winning side getting to write history. For someone who’s already read a different, more conventional version of the Mahabharath, the book provides an exciting new perspective. And for someone who’s never read the Mahabharath, this is a chance to get to know the story without having to deal with magical weapons and miracle births.
The book ends on a surprisingly realistic note – unlike his brothers, who embark on the long road to salvation, Bhim does not seem to have learned anything about the higher lessons of spirituality. He chooses to leave his story on an open note –not a new note, but the same old tale of revenge and bloodshed. (I would have found it more interesting if he’d finally gone searching for his first wife, but for him, it’s still about Draupadi – just as everything in his life so far has always been about Draupadi.)
Panicker carries a cynical book out to it’s thoroughly cynical ending, and I’m glad he did, because I might not have noticed if he’d snuck in a sweet fairy tale ending there. Because that’s what we want and expect from endings, regardless of what the story was.
Let me start from the top. The Mahabharath is an epic poem, somewhat similar to the Illiad or the Odyssey. Like with those poems, there have been numerous versions of the Mahabharath, numerous perspectives and retellings, and along the way, new myths and legends are continuously being tacked onto the end of it. Panicker’s story is a loose translation of an older version written in Malayalam by M.T. Vasudevan Nair called Randamoozham (Second Chance).
What Panicker and Nair both attempt is to engage with the myths and legends that surround the stories about the Mahabharath, and to reimagine the story shorn of these trappings. Dispelling the myths results in a truth laid out that now seems stranger than fiction to those of us who grew up reading about miracles and magical weapons.
The part of the Mahabharath that Bhimsen deals with refers to the lives of the two sets of cousins who eventually form the opposing sides in the Great War (called the Mahabharath). There’s The Good Side (sort of) who are known as the Pandavas, and The Bad Side (mostly) who are known as the Kauravas. The five Pandavas and the 101 Kauravas are children of a pair of half brothers. The former’s father was pale and splotchy (and allegedly impotent), while the latter’s father (the King) was blind.
Each character in the Mahabharath is well known for at least one trait that ends up defining them. Bhim is the strong one. His younger brother Arjun is the ultimate hero – a handsome warrior who wins everything, fears nothing, and leaves swooning women in his wake. His eldest (illegitimate) brother, Karna is the generous one, the misunderstood one, the most cruel one (or the one who was also in love with Draupadi), depending on which version of the story you read. Draupadi is the ultimate wife, and Kunti the ultimate mother. And there is the Pandava King, Yudhishtir – the just one.
Bhim is the second of the five ‘good’ brothers, and his defining characteristic is his strength. He’s often described as loyal and single-minded to a fault, always willing to assist his brothers or the wife they all share in whatever they need to do. Due to their father’s impotency, these five brothers are said to have been the children of various Gods from the Hindu pantheon – the result of a boon offered to their mother when she was younger.
This brings me to the women – Kunti, mother of the Pandavas, and Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas. Yes, she’s married to all five of them. It’s complicated. Draupadi – never really cast as much of a weak woman to begin with – is depicted by Panicker as a bloodthirsty person, someone so filled with bloodlust that it’s pretty much her biggest turn on. She adores tales of heroics, and portioned out her love for her husbands on the basis of their heroism (or depending on whether she needed to manipulate them into something or the other).
Kunti, another master manipulator, is also shown to be ruthless in her efforts to gain the throne – the ultimate prize. It is Kunti that hid away a sixth son (the eldest) because she hadn’t been married at the time of his birth. It is Kunti who refrains from claiming that son – Karna – when he needs it the most, which means the eldest Pandava ends up fighting on the other side of the war. It is Kunti that ensures that all five of her sons marry the woman considered the most beautiful ‘in all the land’, so envy of Draupadi will not tear them apart.
As you might well expect from a myth stripping, cynical work, all these characters are separated from hundreds of years of white washing. What you get is a sad picture painted from an unflinching perspective. A Yudhishtir who is hypocritical in his justice, a guy who’s essentially pretending to be a lawyer after having watched too many episodes of Boston Legal. (Ugh, Denny Crane). An Arjun who’s arrogant and prideful, and becomes bitchy when that pride is injured. A Draupadi who’s viciously making the best of having to share her life with five different men.
Bhim is (obviously) the one who gets the most sympathetic deal of the lot. With him cast in the role of the protagonist, we quickly realize that we never heard much of Bhim’s version of the story. His mother makes him leave his first wife and son behind him in the forest, and he later ends up fighting the guy who took care of them afterwards. He describes ordinary fights that were so embellished in the retelling that his enemies ended up nine feet tall and with tusks for teeth. He talks about his desire for Draupadi, and his shame at desiring her, and his confusion because as her husband, surely he’s allowed to desire her?
Sub plots that never seemed very important are infused with new life in Bhimsen. The whole book is a conspiracy theory, a suggestion that the Mahabharath is just a case of the winning side getting to write history. For someone who’s already read a different, more conventional version of the Mahabharath, the book provides an exciting new perspective. And for someone who’s never read the Mahabharath, this is a chance to get to know the story without having to deal with magical weapons and miracle births.
“And so, somewhere down below he wandered still, the man who in the dead of night had set fire to the Pandava camp and, with sword in hand, mercilessly cut down every one of Draupadi’s children.
My work is not done yet, Bhima decided; it will not be over as long as Ashwathama remains alive.”
The book ends on a surprisingly realistic note – unlike his brothers, who embark on the long road to salvation, Bhim does not seem to have learned anything about the higher lessons of spirituality. He chooses to leave his story on an open note –not a new note, but the same old tale of revenge and bloodshed. (I would have found it more interesting if he’d finally gone searching for his first wife, but for him, it’s still about Draupadi – just as everything in his life so far has always been about Draupadi.)
Panicker carries a cynical book out to it’s thoroughly cynical ending, and I’m glad he did, because I might not have noticed if he’d snuck in a sweet fairy tale ending there. Because that’s what we want and expect from endings, regardless of what the story was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2025
Bhimsen is an adapted story of MT Vasudevan Nair's Randammuzhi , It is an engaging and bold retelling pf the epic - Mahabharatha, which challenges traditional narratives. The book depicts Bhima, the second of the Pandava princes, as more human, pragmatic and often cynical, often struggling with his emotions,duty and relationships. It moves away from the glorification of characters eg. Krishna is depicted as a strategic manipulator . Bhima often questions Yudhishtra's motivations. But i found the portrayal of the well known characters as often one dimensional . Bhima's internal conflicts are not deeply explored. krishna is a multi dimensional character and not just a manipulator. Yudhishtara is portrayed as weak and a hypocrite and his wisdom and knowledge is not brought out,
But the book is very readable especially for peopel like me whose Malayalam is very rudimentary
But the book is very readable especially for peopel like me whose Malayalam is very rudimentary
April 1, 2020
Forever Fascinating Poem from Bhima POV. It certainly enlightened me in bridging the gaps and doubts which I had about certain events in simple straightforward Logical way rather than attaching divine godly manner which sometime keeps the reader deluded. :)
December 12, 2017
This book delivers the objective that the author states. Would recommend anyone who has an idea of Mahabharata but would like a philosophical angle.
July 12, 2015
The story of Mahabharata told from Bhim's viewpoint. This re-telling of Randamoozham by Prem Panicker takes the mythical elements away and treats Pandavas and Kauravas as men. Bhim is an intelligent and strong man overlooked by all. Growing up in the shadow of his older brother Yudhishthir and younger brother Arjun - his contempt of Yudhishthir's shenanigans, his love for his Younger brothers and his devotion to Draupadi who loves Arjun foremost, his regret at having to abandon Hidimbi...all point to a multi-faceted Prince.
The author also deftly treats the reader to how myths were created - Through Bhim "I could never listen to balladeers sing of my battle against Bakan without feeling the urge to laugh out loud....they called him asura......but the fact is he was nowhere as formidable as Hidimban...There is much talk of what is permitted and what is not in combat, but I saw no need to adhere to any of those rules here...." And through Arjun - “If the balladeers sang that you threw hot ghee on him and snapped his neck while he was still trying to clear his eyes, would mother give them any alms?”
All point of view narrations also tackle the Kuru race's relationship with Nagas and Asuras..and the contempt Kurus had for other races. The comment made about Ghatochkach's death by Krishna sum up the relations Aryans and Nagas as perceived by South Indian authors.
All in all, I would recommend a reading of Bhimsen should anyone wish to go behind the epic.
The author also deftly treats the reader to how myths were created - Through Bhim "I could never listen to balladeers sing of my battle against Bakan without feeling the urge to laugh out loud....they called him asura......but the fact is he was nowhere as formidable as Hidimban...There is much talk of what is permitted and what is not in combat, but I saw no need to adhere to any of those rules here...." And through Arjun - “If the balladeers sang that you threw hot ghee on him and snapped his neck while he was still trying to clear his eyes, would mother give them any alms?”
All point of view narrations also tackle the Kuru race's relationship with Nagas and Asuras..and the contempt Kurus had for other races. The comment made about Ghatochkach's death by Krishna sum up the relations Aryans and Nagas as perceived by South Indian authors.
All in all, I would recommend a reading of Bhimsen should anyone wish to go behind the epic.
June 23, 2012
I would have enjoyed this book much more if the author hadn't started off by saying how appalling he found The Palace of Illusions, which I thoroughly enjoyed. He has a right to his own opinion so I started reading the book anyway. But from the first page to the last, I failed to find that something which makes it better than the book he so despised. It's a good recount of the Mahabharata told through Bhima's POV and it was told well. But how is this book better than Chitra's I have no clue. In fact, I felt hers was more of an objective view where Draupadi's negatives were highlighted in addition to everything that makes her unique, where in Bhimsen, Yudhishtira and Arjuna were shown in pretty bad light so that he looks better in comparison (or so it felt like).
I haven't read Randamoozham രണ്ടാമൂഴം which is highly popular and said to be the best work of MT. But if this is the closest adaptation to it, I'm afraid I may get disappointed with it.
I still give it 4 stars because, objectively, I enjoyed reading it.
I haven't read Randamoozham രണ്ടാമൂഴം which is highly popular and said to be the best work of MT. But if this is the closest adaptation to it, I'm afraid I may get disappointed with it.
I still give it 4 stars because, objectively, I enjoyed reading it.
August 3, 2012
This is Prem Panicker re-telling of M T Vasudevan Nair’s Randaamoozham, which is the Mahabharata from the point of view of the Pandava Bhima.In mainstream renderings Bhima is frequently depicted as a gluttonous oaf or a comic foil, but Nair turned him into a sensitive, thoughtful figure—a large-hearted and brutally frank man with a minor inferiority complex about being in the shadow of his brothers.... B
Bhima has always been my favourite right from the time i read the ACK aka Amar Chitra Katha's Mahabhartaha kata perhaps because he appealed to my feminine sensibilities as he was always there for his wife ...the chereaharan episode...the keechak episode ....even on their last journey he was the only one who looked back to check if she had fallen ....
He was warm and brave and saved the hide of the pandavas many times like the baka and hidimb episodes...
Yudhisthira whom i think was a boor and Arjuna whom i think was a bit spineless...
Bhima has always been my favourite right from the time i read the ACK aka Amar Chitra Katha's Mahabhartaha kata perhaps because he appealed to my feminine sensibilities as he was always there for his wife ...the chereaharan episode...the keechak episode ....even on their last journey he was the only one who looked back to check if she had fallen ....
He was warm and brave and saved the hide of the pandavas many times like the baka and hidimb episodes...
Yudhisthira whom i think was a boor and Arjuna whom i think was a bit spineless...
November 16, 2015
Interesting read from Bheem's POV. What drew me to read this book is that the author retold this story from the famous Malayalam work Randaamoozham by MT Vasudevan Nair. Mahabharat always fascinated me with its intriguing and multi-shaded characters and twisted plots. It renders one to think and go in depth of the characters. One is not simply positive without any negatives in them or the vice versa. The logical narratives from the POV of human psyche and supernatural occurrences which were often shown as mythical or godly powers were given some scientific explanations.
Although Bheem is not on the top of my favourite characters of MB but in this book the second Pandava prince was shown with a different shade of practicality, observations and actions both positive and negative along with the superhuman strength which was usually etched upon the character.
Although Bheem is not on the top of my favourite characters of MB but in this book the second Pandava prince was shown with a different shade of practicality, observations and actions both positive and negative along with the superhuman strength which was usually etched upon the character.
July 23, 2022
LOVE the style of writing & insider look at the mahabharat story..alert: super addictive. Every character is portrayed as a human being, no godly versions of ppl.
Couple of notes from other people's reviews that really resonated with my feelings:
1. Work piled up, sleep reduced to 4 hours…but i simply could not put down the book. Two days back to back and the book is done. A great lesson on how a well-known story can seem so different when viewed from a different point of view. I loved it
2. Book has infused life, and offers relatable emotions, and adds facets of human behaviour – jealousy, passion, love, and grandeur.
Couple of notes from other people's reviews that really resonated with my feelings:
1. Work piled up, sleep reduced to 4 hours…but i simply could not put down the book. Two days back to back and the book is done. A great lesson on how a well-known story can seem so different when viewed from a different point of view. I loved it
2. Book has infused life, and offers relatable emotions, and adds facets of human behaviour – jealousy, passion, love, and grandeur.
June 2, 2016
It was nice to see the events unfold from Bhimas point of view. “Giving voice to the silences” author Prem Panicker calls it. I was not disappointed - The story was well told and captivating.
It was interesting to have logical explanations for the events rather than mythical or godly status. Instead of making it a story of a divine mission, it is a story of a family fighting for survival. Bhima is often depicted as spontaneous and hot headed, here we see him as a practical, thoughtful and sensitive person.
It was interesting to have logical explanations for the events rather than mythical or godly status. Instead of making it a story of a divine mission, it is a story of a family fighting for survival. Bhima is often depicted as spontaneous and hot headed, here we see him as a practical, thoughtful and sensitive person.
May 5, 2015
First time I read a version of Mahabharatha from an alternate POV.Shashi Tharoor's Great Indian novel doesnt count. The first half was good and interesting. Very little coverage of the war.
Bhima has been potrayed as a very sensitive, intelligent and observant person, not the clumsy bully image that the popular versions have of him.
Wonder how Randamoozham actually reads.
Bhima has been potrayed as a very sensitive, intelligent and observant person, not the clumsy bully image that the popular versions have of him.
Wonder how Randamoozham actually reads.
April 26, 2016
For Mahabharata junkies, this book is a must-read. Perspectives from Mahabharata characters abound (Yugantar, Ajaya), but this one is a superlative narrative of the epic from Bhim's viewpoint. I can't read Malayalam but Prem Panicker's version is a good fast-paced read as well as a nuanced outlook into the popular oaf's mind.
September 6, 2012
Mahabharath is a book that is narrated in a general aspect as in a third person style. But Bhimsen or Prem Panicker narrates the story of mahabharath through the eyes of Bhima which is an exciting read.
February 2, 2020
An interesting take on Mahabharata. The realism, and the description of the war scenes are outstanding. Bhima's character is also pretty good. They could have explored Krishna and Bhima's relationship a bit more.
September 8, 2016
Well enjoyed but I already knew most of the story so felt a bit redundant that why couldn't complete it certainly enjoyed the new perspective through which many revered characters were viewed especially that of yudhishtra
June 2, 2013
Very different perspective of the Mahabharath. I would love to read it from Karna and Arjuna's point of view as well.
June 15, 2013
Realistic portrayal of human feelings - demigods or not
Kudos to MTV for the original work and thought and a good work of translation/adaptation by PP
Kudos to MTV for the original work and thought and a good work of translation/adaptation by PP
April 14, 2017
I don't know why I read this before MT's version... bad luck is all I can say...
Even though the author has acknowledged that MT is his inspiration, one would think that this book would have something new.. am wondering why two same books have been written by two different authors.. there is absolutely nothing new in this book... the thoughts and reactions of each and every character about each and every incident is the same....
If you have read MT's version then do not waste time on this and vice versa... I did and utterly regret...
Absolute waste of time and money !
Could have given negative stars if I could.
Palace of illusions and Duryodhana are much better books than this .. book I want to call????? no thank you .
Even though the author has acknowledged that MT is his inspiration, one would think that this book would have something new.. am wondering why two same books have been written by two different authors.. there is absolutely nothing new in this book... the thoughts and reactions of each and every character about each and every incident is the same....
If you have read MT's version then do not waste time on this and vice versa... I did and utterly regret...
Absolute waste of time and money !
Could have given negative stars if I could.
Palace of illusions and Duryodhana are much better books than this .. book I want to call????? no thank you .
April 24, 2017
A different perspective of Mahabharath. Might not be everyone's cup of tea since it has heavy dose of revisionism. It would question long held myths and put quite a lot of your heros on ground from their lofty pedastals.
Did I enjoy the book?
In bits and pieces, but overall it became a chore to complete
If your someone who can accept alternate perspectives this would be a good read else stay awayy from this book.
Did I enjoy the book?
In bits and pieces, but overall it became a chore to complete
If your someone who can accept alternate perspectives this would be a good read else stay awayy from this book.
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