Book Review# 139 Ahalaya's Awakening

Blurb:

I searched all these years for myself—and I only found Ahalya, the woman I was supposed to be born as: unblemished, without any faults. I had no hala in me, no sin, no crime, no guilt. What I had done was to respond to the call of life within me…’
Ahalya. Created by Brahma; married to one of the greatest rishis of all time; desired by the king of gods, Indra. A woman maligned and cursed.
But who was Ahalya? What did she want? Did she have ambitions and desires?
In this sparkling retelling of the well-known legend, bestselling author Kavita Kané draws out the voice of a character that lacked one—even before she was turned to stone. Tracing her journey from a precocious child, to a studious and sheltered princess, to the loving wife of Rishi Gautam, Ahalya’s Awakening delves into the mind of a woman who yearns to control her own destiny. In her tale lies the story of every woman, even today.

My Take:

Kavita has a flair for writing heart touching stories about the lesser known epic characters. Characters that have never been given their due, almost faded. Kavita becomes their voice and narrates a heart touching yet riveting tale.

Ahalya the daughter of King Mudgal and  fiesty queen Nalayanti is created by Brahma as one of his best creations. Better than the celestial Apsaras, Ahalaya is beauty with brains Although she has a hunger for learning and becmoing a scholar, her parents also like the world are fascinated by her beauty than brains Indra also makes an entry here by helping her brother Divokar in a war and is fascinated and crazy about her.His lust for her is more prominent although Ahalaya has rejected his proposal and advances..Her quest for becoming a scholar takes her to the great Gautam Rishi. Taking shelter in the Ashram and learning from the guru she falls in love with him and vice versa.

After her return her parents plan her swayamvar by setting an almost impossible condition which co incidentally Gautam Rishi fulfills and they get married. Indra who goes crazy hearing this confronts as he always feels only he could have won. Left rejected he seeks solance in the arms of Sachi (daughter of the Asura King) and they get married.

But Indra is never over Ahalaya and his lust is again a display when hey meet years later at her brother (Divokars marriage) Again rebuked by Ahalaya and made fun by his own wife he goes green. Meanwhile with children and the Ashram Ahalaya gets busy and slowly her quest to study remains in the back seat. Frustrated, hurt and questioning her individuality and her dwindling relatiosnhip with Gautam Rishi, Ahalaya seeks answers which her husband avoids.

Her coming face to face with Indra happens again and this time because of her need for love and lonliness she inspite of knowing that it is Indra in disguise of Gautam Rishi she gives in. Her confrontation with her husband and the Indra Gautam Rishis faceoff makes a great read.

Ahalaya is written well with some bold and thought provoking points that the author has raised. Men do get forgived easily and it is always the women who has to abide by the rules. The language used is simple and strong enough to drive the point home.

5/5 for this. Highly recommended for all womens and mens out there.