[Eddy]

Originally Posted by RR96

all readers who love reading mythology and are interested to read a retelling of Mahabharata.

Yes, I plan to start this genre of historical fiction soon. On the list are Anant Neelakanthan books and Amish's Ramchandra series once the final part is out. I'll add Bhima to the list. Any more of his work (English translation) that you recommend?

[RR96]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Yes, I plan to start this genre of historical fiction soon. On the list are Anant Neelakanthan books and Amish's Ramchandra series once the final part is out. I'll add Bhima to the list. Any more of his work (English translation) that you recommend?

Though I am a Malayalee I haven't studied Malayalam and have not read much Malayalam works as I did my schooling outside Kerala. A friend of mine introduced me to Randamoozham considering my love to read Mahabharata, he made me initially to try reading the Malayalam version, which I felt would have taken a lot of time considering my calibre. Thus to my limited knowledge I think there may not be other books by him in this genre, other BHPians may comment . Popular works of M T Vasudevan include Nalukettu, Kaalam, Varanasi, Asuravithu but am not sure whether their translations exist.

I would recommend you some other books in the mythology genre.

• Mrityunjaya by Shivaji Sawant
• Yayati by V S Khandekar
• Yuganta by Irawati Karwe
• The Book of Sathyabhama by K M Munshi
• Books on Mahabharata by Narendra Kohli

I have started reading "Mrityunjaya : The Death Conqueror, The Story of Karna". The initial impressions are that I am enjoying it. The others in the list are which I plan to read in future. In my personal opinion the books Bhima and Mrityunjaya are way better than the books by Amish and Anand Neelakantan and would have been bestsellers now if they had been recently introduced and given similar advertisements

[RR96]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Any more of his work (English translation) that you recommend?

I could find these translated versions of M T Vasudevan Nair's books online, if you are interested.

1.The Writings of M T Vasudevan Nair
2. Varanasi
3.The Demon seed
4.Nalukettu
5.Kaalam

M T Vasudevan Nair wrote on various genres and his writings are not limited to only mythology like Amish and Anand Neelakantan. M T is a recipient of Jnanpith award in 1995 for his overall contribution to Malayalam literature. In 2005, India's third highest civilian honour Padma Bhushan was awarded to him.

Randamoozham (The Second Turn; 1984), widely regarded as the author's masterpiece, retells the story of the Mahabharatha from the point of view of Bhimasena, supposed to be the son of Vayu; this is demystified or demythified in the novel. In this novel, Bhima gains, through the author's ironic undertones, a new psychological depth. "I have not changed the framework of the story by the first Vyasa, Krishna-Dwaipayana. I have read between his lines and expanded on his pregnant silences," says the author.

Wikipidia page -
M T Vasudevan Nair
Randamoozham

[JohnyBoy]

Originally Posted by RR96

I would like to introduce the book - "Bhima: Lone Warrior" to all readers who love reading mythology and are interested to read a retelling of Mahabharata. This book is a classic in Malayalam literature. I have read only the English translation and feel that the plot is well conveyed but can't comment whether the literary beauty is retained.

No, the beauty of the original Malayalam book is not there in the English translation. I have read both Malayalam and English. You cannot blame the translator, she has done a good job, but it's impossible to translate some ideas, words, phrases with the same flavor.

Amish or Anand's books may have better language because they were originally written in English.

Another difference is that MT 'filled the gaps or silences' in the Mahabharatha without changing the original plot. Anand and Amish have retold the stories taking creative liberty changing few things from the original (or the popular versions, as it's impossible to define what were the orginal ones)

Originally Posted by Eddy

... Any more of his work (English translation) that you recommend?

It's difficult to enjoy fully any of his books in English. Most of his books are kerala based describing the society using words and sayings which are difficult to translate. Also a background knowledge of kerala society, culture, happenings (of 50 years ago) helps to understand his writings.

Originally Posted by RR96

... Thus to my limited knowledge I think there may not be other books by him in this genre, other BHPians may comment .

No, he has not written any other book in this genre. He has written similar screenplays like Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, Perumthachan and Vaishali - all superhit movies which look at popular 'stories' from a different view.

[Samurai]

There was a young English poet from Karnataka, who published his first collection of English poems in 1922 at age 18. He showed it to a prominent English poet/critic and got lambasted. The critic told him to write in his mother tongue and not waste his time writing in a foreign language, where he doesn't know anything beyond the words.

The critic told him that one has to understand the culture to write about it. Here is the full story about it. We had this incident as a lesson in our high school text.

The young poet took the advice to heart and tried his hand in Kannada poetry and books. He became the great ever in Kannada literature. He wrote poems as well as huge novels, won plenty of awards. He won the first Jnanpith Award for Kannada, leading a long list of awardees in Kannada. In fact, Karnataka has the highest number of Jnanpith award winners, and Kuvempu led the way.

[JohnyBoy]

Originally Posted by Samurai

T..
The young poet took the advice to heart and tried his hand in Kannada poetry and books. He became the in Kannada literature. He wrote poems as well as huge novels, won plenty of awards. He won the first Jnanpith Award for Kannada, leading a long list of awardees in Kannada. In fact, Karnataka has the highest number of Jnanpith award winners, and Kuvempu led the way.

Great.

Can you suggest good authors and works in Kannada?
I am trying to read classics/great works from different Indian languages. Of course translated to English or Malayalam.

I recently read Bhujangayya'sDashavatharam and Kaadu by Srikrishna Alanahally and loved his writing. Looking to read similar books from different languages.

Thanks.

[whitewing]

Originally Posted by JohnyBoy

Great.

Can you suggest good authors and works in Kannada?

The thing about translations is that the style of writing can get lost during the translation process.

The following translations are excellent, where the flavor of the original is not lost. In case of the Karnad books, he himself has done the translations

• Yayati - Karnad
• Three Plays: Naga-Mandala, Hayavadana, Tughlaq - Karnad
• The Inscrutable Mystery (Chidambara Rahasya) : Tejaswi
• Samskara - Anatamurthy

The following are great literary pieces (haven't read the English translations of these, can't comment on the quality of translation)

• The House of Kanooru (Kaanooru Heggadathi) - Kuvempu
• Ajeya (an English translation was released recently) - (forgot the author's name)
• UttaraKaanda (an English translation was released recently) - Bhyrappa
• Jugaari Cross - Tejaswi

And finally there is Mankuthimmana Kagga - DV Gundappa, large parts are in a older form of Kannada. It beats me that one human mind could produce such a profound collection of thoughts. Unsure if a proper translation exists.

Some random verses

ಹರಡುವುದು ಸಾಜ ವಾಯುಗೆ ಸೈಸದದು ತಡೆಯನ್ ।
ಉರುಳಿಪುದದೆಲ್ಲವನು ತಡೆಗಳಿಲ್ಲದಿರೆ ।।
ನರನ ಸ್ವತಂತ್ರಗತಿಯಂತು ಹಿತಮಿತವಿರಲು ।
ಅರಸೊ ಮಿತಿಯಾಯತಿಯ ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ।।

It is natural for wind to blow, it does not tolerate blockage.
But when there is nothing to stop it, it destroys everything.
Such is the nature of individual freedom. It is good if it is
In moderation. Try to limit your independence. --Mankuthimma

ಸರ್ವರುಂ ಸಾಧುಗಳೆ ಸರ್ವರುಂ ಬೋಧಕರೆ ।
ಜೀವನಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ ಬಂದಿದಿರು ನಿಲುವನಕ ॥
ಭಾವಮರ್ಮಂಗಳೇಳುವುವಾಗ ತಳದಿಂದ ।
ದೇವರೇ ಗತಿಯಾಗ - ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ॥

Until life poses a difficult question every one is noble and preachers.
When life becomes difficult,
feelings (and illusions) arise from deep down their heart.
Only God can save us then. – Mankutimma

[JohnyBoy]

Originally Posted by whitewing

T...In case of the Karnad books, he himself has done the translations

• Yayati - Karnad
• Three Plays: Naga-Mandala, Hayavadana, Tughlaq - Karnad
• The Inscrutable Mystery (Chidambara Rahasya) : Tejaswi
• Samskara - Anatamurthy

The following are great literary pieces (haven't read the English translations of these, can't comment on the quality of translation)

• The House of Kanooru (Kaanooru Heggadathi) - Kuvempu
• Ajeya (an English translation was released recently) - (forgot the author's name)
• UttaraKaanda (an English translation was released recently) - Bhyrappa
• Jugaari Cross - Tejaswi

...

Thanks a lot. Adding these to my wishlist.

[sridhu]

Originally Posted by JohnyBoy

Thanks a lot. Adding these to my wishlist.

I have read this: The House of Kanooru (Kaanooru Heggadathi) - Kuvempu about 10 years ago.

While I do not know Kannada, the English version was certainly not good. No flow to it and I think the cultural nuances did not make it thru to the translation.

[rst89]

Read a fiction book after a long time, A fine balance by Rohinton Mistry.

The story is tightly woven and this book can be read fast. The excesses of Emergency are highlighted along with caste equation in India.

This book dabbles a little bit in poverty porn more geared towards western reader.

[Nikhil Beke]

Strongly recommend Japanese author Keigo Hogashino's crime thrillers (Salvation of suspect X, Salvation of a saint, Under the midnight sun, malice- all translated into English in a nice way that nothing really gets lost in translation): Keigo is an electrical engineer by profession, and his crime thrillers are an inimitable mix of sci-fi, crime, criminal psychology, drama and leave the reader with a feeling of contentment of having read about a perfect crime- and having an ending that is truly satisfactory!
While it'd be subjective to pick up a book as his best, I would pick 'The Miracles of the Namiya general store' as his best work: his fans would be astounded by his sheer brilliance/versatility as an author- totally unlike his other books, this one doesn't contain any crime and yet is full of his usual plot devices- sci-fi and fantasy, time travels (well, almost). The ending is serene- for the want of a better word.

P.S.: the movie 'Drishyam' was loosely based on 'devotion of suspect X', and good as it was, it is no match for the book.

[heydj]

These days I have started reading Perry Mason novels by Erle Stanley Gardner again. These books are so good and worth reading in one sitting.

[adisan]

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.

Originally written in French, it has a handful of English translations, but the one by Lowell Bair is very good. It is set in the turbulent times of France in the early 19th century.

Not just a good story, it brings out the subtleties of psychology and philosophy also.

[ValarMorghulis]

Completed Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

This is my second book from him after Artemis (which was ordinary to say the least).
Hail Mary is a decent read with a good pace and an affable theme to it. A good read after a plethora of non-fictions.

[deathwalkr]

Better off dead: Lee Child/Andrew Child

The latest Reacher book and i don't know, just didn't feel like a Reacher book.

3/5

Have to read the new Mitch Rapp book next.