A Book Review of Kavita Kane’s Lanka’s Princess: Weaving up the Character of Surphanakha

“Meenakshi….Her eyes are as golden and graceful as a fish’s. That would be a lovely name for her…” {Rishi Vishwaras on occasion of his daughter’s birth, Lanka’s Princess, Kavita Kane}

Unfortunately, India always has adopted a hypocritical policy regarding its treatment of women who are worshipped in the temples and yet step-downed upon elsewhere. The prejudice of patriarchy is evident in the simple fact that the name of Sita’s mother skips through our minds but the whole record of Rama’s paternal lineage is easily traceable. Various scholars, writers and historians, ever since the past decade up to now have unraveled for us the various facets of major female leads from mythologies like Draupadi, Sita and others; but did we ever give a thought about how even the minor mythological characters can have layers to them? Were we ever curious about what other roles could they play aside from catalysts of the main events? If the answer is yes then Lanka’s Princess is a much recommended read that provides such answers for Ramayana’s Surphanakha. If it’s a no for you, then the Lanka’s Princess is a recommended read that provides food for thought.

Who is Surphanakha? What is more to her than being Ravana’s (the most hated persona in Indian Mythology) sister and someone who is maimed by Lakshman for her misdeeds? Just when we thought we have covered all that is to know about her, Kavita Kane’s book enters the picture. As fresh as a glass of  lemonade in the hottest days of Indian summers, Lanka’s Princess weaves together threads of Meenakshi’s (Surphanakha’s given name) personality. She is the daughter of a Rishi and an Asura princess. Being born a female she cannot be the apple of her mother’s eye for the sole reason that a daughter cannot establish an empire that her mother dreams to build. Thus the story begins with an introduction as to why a daughter born after three sons is a flaw in the plan of Kaikesi– who was once the princess of Lanka- the territory now ruled by Kubera. Hence it is safe to reveal that the story begins with the motive of revenge, even the legendary proposal to the Ayodhya Brothers is revenge in disguise. Vengeance haunts Meenakshi from her birth, marriage, to her widowhood and even beyond (spoiler alert!). And as it follows her around, somewhere along the lines the beauty changes into a beast i.e. Meenakshi becomes Surphanakha. But does this tale end in revenge? That, my dear reader, you would have to find out for yourself. 

However, if you are out looking for the battle between Rama and Ravana, then it might be a slight disappointment as Kavita Kane does not spend much time on the event that has been depicted vividly elsewhere. Rather I would say that how the author incorporates the local folk tales and legends mentioned in the Puranas, is the reason that makes the novel an interesting read. Another fascinating aspect of this book of Lanka’s Princess is that nowhere does it force the author’s opinions on the readers. It is simply a tale telling the complexity of a character who is merely regarded as a minor character in the Ramayana.

All in all Kavita Kane does not fail to surprise her readers. With an experience of more than two decades as journalist under her belt, she became a force to be reckoned with in the world of Indian mythological fiction due to her debut novel Karna’s wife (which was also adapted as a daily soap titled Karn Sangini). Her books are known for their feminist perspective and gives voices to the lesser known female mythological figures. If you like the above recommendation then here are some other titles written by her:

• The Karna’s Wife: The Outcast’s Queen
• Sita’s Sister
• Menaka’s Choice
• The Fisher Queen’s Dynasty
• Ahalya’s Awakening

Note : Latest book in the above series, Saraswati’s gift is set to release on 5^th July 2021.