It hasn’t been so much since I finished this novel by Amish Tripathi, Sita: The Warrior of Mithila, three days ago. For starters, I truly liked this novel as it’s a novel. Indeed, it’s a novel – a work of fiction. Nevertheless, I genuinely wonder what a novel could be out of this if the characters in the novel were to be some ordinary men and women like we are. Could we ever give two dimes to such a work? Could Amish make his lady hero out of some Smriti, Sushma or Sima from Mithila? Why did he choose Sita? Why did he choose the legendary heroine and a Goddess? It intrigued me, and then I gave some random page readings of this novel once again. And I would like to share what I found with all the readers who have already read or will read the book soon.
The book has nothing to do with the original Ramayana. This is a work of pure fiction, so take it as it is. Read it, dust it, forget it, and wait for the next fiction from the author… There are the instances that have been re-created to give the story of Sita a cinematic touch, which might soon be converted into some overrated Bollywood movie where we might see some Deepika or Priyanka playing Sita and challenging some character who might play Rama! The story of Sita: Warrior of Mithila is written by the author, whose knowledge of Mithila seems scanty. He does not seem to know anything besides his fugitive storytelling skills, which he uses to entertain people by telling them that the gods are Nagas and are part of different tribes. I just hope he could also re-tell the stories of Gods belonging to other ‘tribes’.
As per the fiction in the novel Sita: Warrior of Mithila, the novel purely gains its fuel from the legend of Sita, without whom the book could just be another vain attempt at luring the readers’ minds. You can surely enjoy the fiction and the descriptions of Sita training in the camp where she envisions the dream of being the next Vishnu. (Are you serious? As far as I know, Indra might be a post…) And there are the scenes featuring Jatayu meeting Sita in the camp. Hanuman, as some Naga and many other instances, might baffle a serious being who might have read the original versions of Ramayana.
I want to criticise this novel for everything that remains short. Here is the list:
A Reimagining That Falls Short: Amish Tripathi’s “Sita: Warrior of Mithila” ventures into the realm of reimagining Hindu epics. This task demands creativity and a deep respect for these narratives’ cultural and spiritual fabric. However, Tripathi’s approach, while ambitious, often feels like a superficial overlay of modern tropes onto ancient lore, lacking the depth and reverence these stories deserve.
The Essence of Sita: Tripathi selects Sita as one of the most revered figures in Hindu mythology, whose character embodies virtue, resilience, and divine grace. Yet, his portrayal seems to strip away these qualities, replacing them with a version that, while aiming for empowerment, feels more like a caricature. The novel’s attempt to make Sita a ‘warrior’ might resonate with contemporary ideals of female empowerment. Still, it does so at the cost of her traditional essence, reducing her to a figure more suited for a modern action movie than the epic she belongs to.
Narrative and Style Critique: Tripathi’s narrative style, described as ‘fugitive storytelling,’ often prioritizes entertainment over substance. His descriptions of Sita’s training camps or her interactions with mythological figures like Jatayu and Hanuman reimagined as Nagas, feel more like elements borrowed from fantasy novels rather than a respectful reinterpretation of the Ramayana. This approach dilutes the epic’s spiritual depth and introduces elements that might baffle or offend those familiar with the original texts. The novel’s prose, while accessible, lacks the poetic elegance or philosophical depth one might expect from a work dealing with such profound themes.
Cultural and Historical Missteps: Tripathi’s handling of Mithila’s culture and history in the novel seems cursory. His portrayal often feels like a generic backdrop rather than a rich, detailed tapestry of a civilization. This lack of depth misrepresents Mithila’s cultural heritage and misses an opportunity to educate readers about its significance, reducing complex societal structures to mere plot devices.
Philosophical and Moral Ambiguities: The novel’s engagement with philosophical questions, like Sita’s vision of becoming the next Vishnu, introduces confusion rather than clarity. This reimagining, while attempting to modernize the narrative, often feels like a misstep, where the philosophical underpinnings of the Ramayana are either oversimplified or misinterpreted, leading to a narrative that feels out of sync with the original’s moral and spiritual teachings.
The Reader’s Dilemma: For readers, especially those with a background in Hindu mythology, “Sita: Warrior of Mithila” presents a dilemma. While it might entertain, it does so at the expense of the epic’s traditional values and the nuanced portrayal of its characters. The novel’s approach might attempt to make ancient stories ‘cool’ for the modern audience, but this comes at the cost of authenticity and depth, leaving many questioning the merit of such reimaginings.
Conclusion
While successful in terms of commercial appeal, Amish Tripathi’s work fails to capture the soul of the Ramayana. His bold reimagining lacks the aesthetic finesse and profound understanding of the epic’s ethos. This novel, therefore, serves more as a testament to the challenges of modernizing ancient tales without losing their essence rather than a successful literary reinterpretation of one of Hinduism’s most sacred stories.
Still, for those who want to enjoy the story by Amish, here is the link to the book on Amazon. And the best part is you will also get a massive discount of almost 50% if you buy it right now:
(this is a cynic and critical review)
Sita: Warrior of Mithila
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Theme
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Narrative
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Fiction vs Fact
Summary
A typical askew adaptation of the legend… good for those who love fiction!
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